



'iff/ 




| I ..r *0r|9 


# r 


LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap._____„. Copyright No. 

Shelf. 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 





























































































■ 




































; 2 



























AN HEIR OF DREAMS 



SALLIE MARGARET O’MALLEY. 





NEW YORK, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO: 

Benziger Brothers, 

Printers to the Holy Apostolic See. 

1897. 



IN THE SAME SERIES. 

The Blissylvania Post Office. By Marion 
Ames Taggart. i6mo, cloth, 50 cents. 

Three Girls and Especially One. By 
Marion Ames Taggart. i6mo, cloth, 
50 cents. 

A Summer at Woodville. By Anna T. 
Sadlier. i6mo, cloth, 50 cents. 



Copyright, 1897, by Benziger Brothers. 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER X. 

PAGE 

’Lias has a Dream, 5 

CHAPTER II, 

’Lias Fails to See Jack, 24 

CHAPTER III. 

’Lias Spends Another Busy Day, . . . .44 

CHAPTER IY. 

’Lias Makes a New Acquaintance, . . .65 

CHAPTER V. 

’Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances, . . 85 


CHAPTER VI. 

’Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream, 


. 106. 


4 


Contents. 


CHAPTER VII. 

The Boys Fall into a Trap, 

CHAPTER VIII. 

’Lias Leaves Home, for School, . 

CHAPTER IX. 


Lias Visits Home Once More, 


AN HEIR OF DREAMS. 


CHAPTER I. 

’lias has a dream. 

’Lias the lazy, ’Lias the good-for-nothing, 
and ’Lias the dreamer, was dozing over a 
slice of bread. 

It was an effort for him to eat when the sun 
shone as it did to-day, and the sky was full 
of a languorous haze, and the air sweet as 
the Chickasaw plum-tree blossoms could 
make it. 

Vaguely he thought of his mother saying, 
“ ’Lias, when you eat your bread and butter, 
get into the garden and weed the onion bed. 


6 


’ Lias lias a Bream. 


When I was young like you, I had to do 
all work like that, and me a girl, too ! Or 
if I shirked it, I got switched. That "don 
bed is a disgrace to us. Don’t leave ic un- 
finished, as you always do everything.” 

But the old stone step was warm and 
sunny ; the bees droning in the plum blos- 
soms hummed a lullaby. The bread fell 
from the swaying hand, his head slipped 
over against the door-step, and ’Lias slept 
the sleep of the just and lazy. 

’Lias’ mother brushed her skirts across 
his face as she went on her way after spring 
salad in the young wheat. 

She poised her knife, and said, “ Well, 
let him sleep. He is surely the stupidest 
child, but he hain’t bad, and he is always 
meaning to do well.” 

’Lias’ dog lay down at the boy’s feet, and 
with an occasional snap at flies and gnats, or 
an exploring bee, he, too, fell asleep. 


’Lias has a Dream. 


7 


It was all in a little country town, with 
curious streets up hill and down hill ; with 
steps that led up to steps that led down ; 
where nature and craft had hung together, 
and wild plum-trees bloomed behind the 
main grocery, and the witnesses at court 
hitched their horses to scrub oaks in the 
court-house square. 

The town had been asleep for many a year. 
When the school-bell on the . gray -roofed 
academy began to ring on the first Monday 
in September every inhabitant in the town 
paused to hear, saying, “ School’s begun.” 

’Lias hated school. He would leave home 
early and arrive at school late, having stop- 
ped to see the caterpillars, a dusty grass- 
hopper, or to listen to the blackbirds or crows. 

Then his teacher gave him tasks he never 
finished. One day he was made to stand up 
and given a slate until he wrote a certain 
task forty times. 


8 


’ Lias has a Dream. 


“Now write/’ said the disciplinarian, 
“ ‘ I am lazy.’ ” 

“Yon are lazy, yon are lazy,” wrote 
’Lias over and over, and when a severer 
punishment followed, he never knew why. 

He didn’t care to read either, but some- 
times he liked to hear his sister read her 
jingles out of Mother Goose, or maybe he 
fell to pondering over the queer little pic- 
tures that bobbed about so unlooked for. 

His sister would point her linger at him 
and say, 

“ ‘ Come, let’s to bed,’ says Sleepy head. 

* Tarry awhile,’ says Slow,” 

and so on through the ill-mannered refer- 
ence to gluttony, for ’Lias liked good vic- 
tuals “ overly well,” as his father had said. 

’Lias slept on and on that April morning, 
and the weeds shouted for him ; he heard 
them, and his mother was sailing over the 
tree-tops with a bundle of switches. 


’ Lias has a Dream . 


9 


Suddenly he awakened to a sense of com- 
pany. A long, lithe fellow, with a merry, 
wrinkled countenance was very actively 
jumping backward and forward over old 
Turk. 

44 Who are you ?” asked ’Lias slowly — he 
always was slow in every way. 

The fellow jumped ahead breathlessly. 
“I’m 4 Jack-be-Nimble, Jack-be-Quick, Jack- 
Jump-over-the-Candlestick,’ ” he said be- 
tween leaps. 

4 4 What makes you do that this warm day ?” 

44 My candle burned out and I grew fat, so 
I took to jumping everything I came across. ” 
And away he went again. 

44 Does it make you lean ?” asked ’Lias, 
who had a roll of fat around his waist and 
didn’ t like it. 

44 Don’t it ?” replied Jack, holding up a 
whipcord leg. 44 How’s that for constitu- 
tional treatment ?” 


10 


9 Lias has a Dream. 


“Dear me!” mused ’Lias. “Were you 
ever fat ?” 

“ Fat ? Fat as your grandmother.” 

Now ’Lias’ grandmother weighed over 
two hundred pounds. 

“ Don’t you ever get tired ?” 

“Dear me! no. It makes me tired to 
rest.” 

“ That’s funny,” pondered ’Lias, think- 
ing he ached sometimes from being quiet 
in school hours. 

“ Turk will wake up directly,” remarked 
^Lias, “just to hear Jack-of -many -names 
talk.” 

“ When he stands up I’ll show you how I 
can jump,” answered the queer, active creat- 
ure. “My gracious self!” cried Jack sud- 
denly ; “ I forgot my business.” He stop- 
ped jumping, and hopped about restlessly. 
“ You’re a very smart boy, ’Lias, but you’re 
rusting here ; the queen wants to know 


’Lias has a Dream. 


11 


something about you. I’ve got a bit of 
work here for you, too. Everybody whom 
the queen wants must finish some piece of 
work before she gives them a place in her 
kingdom.” 

“ Who is your queen ?” asked ’Lias. 

44 Why, Mother Goose, of course,” an- 
swered Jack, looking astonished. 

44 Oh !” gasped ’Lias at this queer reply. 

44 Now here’s something she thinks in 
your line. Here are some plants from 
Mary’s garden — 4 Mary, Mary, quite con- 
trary,’ you know. She neglected her gar- 
den, and if you succeed in making a neat 
show, your fortune’s made.” 

44 I’m sure,” stammered ’Lias, 44 that I 
should like to try, but I never did any 
gardening.” 

44 What !’ ’ exclaimed Jack. 44 Then you’ll 
never learn earlier. All our great men be- 
gin in the soil. 4 Dig and delve,’ that’s a 


12 


1 Lias has a Dream. 


motto for you. I myself used to render 
sheep’s fat ; that’s not nice as gardening.” 

“I ain’t very well, anyhow,” murmured 
’Lias. 4 4 Mother was sayin’ yesterday that 
I needed a tonic.” 

Jack looked at him critically. 44 You need 
air and exercise,” he pronounced. 44 What’s 
healthier than working among plants ? Be- 
sides the pleasure ” 

44 But I’ve got to go to school soon as I 
get well, ” excused the perplexed boy. 

44 To think of it !” stormed his tormentor. 
44 Pray, while you’re getting well increase 
•your muscle, bring out your chest, draw in 
your chin, so ; and a light hoe, a few herbs, 
and there you are healthy.” 

44 I’ll think of it,” said ’Lias. 

44 lam afraid you won’t do.” Jack shook 
his head and jumped over a bunch of 
marigolds and back again before ’Lias. 

“Come, now,” he said, “look at these 


’ Lias has a Dream . 


13 


bulbs. Here’s a plant tliat grows salad— 
cold salad, ready for the table.” (’Lias was 
very fond of salads.) “ And here’s a seed 
of sweet pickles, and here’s a dozen or more 
plants of strawberry jelly. Here’s sage, it’s 
a wise plant. Don’t say no ; and if you 
make half of these grow the queen will give 
you a secret that will open all doors of wis- 
dom and wealth to you.” 

Now ’Lias was very wise about some 
things ; he had always wanted money. 
First, to buy candy ; then to have some of 
his own. Bill Jones, a schoolmate, had a 
dollar. Sometimes when his mother, whom 
he loved and who was poor, wished for a 
new dress or a package of coffee, ’Lias 
would crawl into a drowsy corner and dream 
about being a man with a mustache a foot 
long, and earning a thousand dollars a day. 
Sometimes he went forth, in his dreams, 
and dug up a box that was filled with dia- 


14 


’ Lias has a Dream 


monds and old coins, worth fabulous sums ; 
these he brought and dutifully laid at the 
feet of his mother. 

If his mother grew angry, and said, “ You 
hain’t worth powder to blow you away ! 
Get up and help me out with this tub of 
water, ’Lias, you good-for-nothing thing!” 
he would amble obediently by her side, 
slopping the water up and out with his 
awkward movements. 

“ See now, you lazy child.” 

“ I’ll be good,” he would answer hum- 
bly, as he saw her eyes blazing. 

So when Jack spoke of wealth he caught 
’Lias’ ear. 

“ Could I have plenty of money ?” 

Jack jumped nimbly over the grass fora 
minute, and brought back several dimes and 
quarters. “ See !” he said, with an attitude. 

“ Where’d you get these ?” ’Lias put his 
hands out. 


’ Lias has a Dream. 


15 

“ Why, I delved, I planted, and reap- 
ed.” 

44 In that time 

“ Of course you couldn’t be as expert as 
I am all at once,” amended Jack. 

’Lias got upon his feet. 

“You’re fat /” said Jack with emphasis. 

’Lias blushed. 44 I’ve been thinkin’ of 
dietin’ to get rid of it. ’ ’ 

44 Let’s jump,” said Jack. 44 It will do 
it. Three to one you can’t stand and clear 
Turk. One, two, three !” 

44 1 can’t jump,” stammered the boy. 

44 Four letters to spell 4 can’t,’ and three 
letters spell 4 can. ’ I guess your pa let the 
trees grow when he was a-bringin’ you 
up.” 

44 I’ve been whipped once or twice,” ad- 
mitted ’Lias. 

Jack twirled about on one leg, and 
snapped his fingers. 44 Once or twice ! I 


1G 


9 Lias has a Dream. 


was whipped for eating, for being quiet, for 
being noisy, for talking, for not speaking 
when spoken to. Discipline is the thing 
you need. Say” — he made a sudden jump 
and buttonholed ’Lias— “ what have you 
got to do to-day V ’ 

“ Why, I’ve got to weed the onion bed !” 
exclaimed ’Lias, glad to be rid of such an 
energetic friend at any cost. “ Here I’ve 
been a- foolin’ my time, and mother said 
she’d switch me if I didn’t finish it.” 

Jack laughed. “ Where’s your mother’s 
switches ?” 

“ She just sailed over the trees with some 
awhile ago.” 

“Dear me!” Jack looked serious. 
“ Your mother must be quite clever. She 
hain’t like you, is she ?” 

“ I’m going to that onion bed,” answered 
’Lias, moving off with more energy than he 
had ever used in moving about. 


* Lias has a Dream. 


17 


“ Say, 5 ’ called Jack after him, “ I’ll leave 
these plants right here.” 

“ I’ll try them,” answered the boy, look- 
ing back. 

“ And say,” insisted the hopping creat- 
ure, “ I’ll see you again; I’ll keep an eye 
upon you.” 

’Lias was just pulling up the first rag- 
weed when slap came some stinging thing 
across his shoulders. 

“ Ouch !” he screamed, and jumped off the 
door-step upon poor Turk, who howled 
dismally. 

“ Where’s that onion bed \ where’s them 
weeds ?” screamed his angry mother. 

’Lias rubbed his eyes. The morning was 
well along, and the dust was on the weeds 
where dew had been when he fell asleep. 

“ Mother, don’t whip me! I’m going ! 
I fell asleep, and Jack was talking to me.” 

“ I wish Jack Hahn would stay at home !” 


18 


1 Lias has a Dream. 


exclaimed tlie good woman. “ If he’d let 
you be you might amount to somethin’.” 
She was glad to find even so small an excuse 
as her neighbor’s son to hang some of the 
faults of her hopeful upon. 

’Lias went at the onion bed with a will, 
stopping now and then to try a jump over 
the tall green tops, feeling carefully about 
his ribs after each jump. 

“I ain’t sure but it is a-doin’ good,” 
he reflected. 

He had finished five rows when along 
came five girls from the public school. One 
was his sister, another was a freckled, lank 
girl he detested, two were the teases of the 
playground, and the fifth was the angel in 
blue calico and carpet matting hat who 
’Lias adored, in a blind, inexpressible 
fashion all his own. 

His sister put her face against the crack 
in the fence. “ Mary, Mary, quite contrary. 


1 Lias has a Dream . 


19 


how does your garden grow, with silver 
bells and cockle shells, and pretty maids in 
a row ?’ 9 

’Lias started ; so Jack-be-Nimble had 
said. 

“ Get along !” he said with brotherly af- 
fection, throwing an uprooted weed at her. 
His face was red, but he bent to his task 
with quiet oblivion as far as the other girls 
were concerned. 

“Hain’t ’Lias gettin’ fat?” said the lank 
one. 

“ He don’t eat anything at all,” said his 
sister ; “ he just gobbles.” 

“ Well , he shows it,” chimed in the 
teases. 

He waited to hear the fifth comment, but 
none came, and ’ Lias felt a glow about his 
heart, and thought certain he was over- 
working himself. He couldn’t resist look- 
ing at the charmer. She had her head side- 


20 


9 Lias has a Dream . 


ways, with her forefinger in her mouth ; 
there was a critical look in her eyes and a 
smile of suppressed force upon her lips. 

That was the straw on ’Lias’ camel’s 
back. He gathered his hat full of clods, 
and while there was a whisking blue frock 
in sight he did his best in aiming and in 
hitting where he aimed. He expected to 
hear of it, and so went sullenly back to his 
onion bed with thoughts at random and 
mechanical hand. 

“ Well, I’ll be switched !” he cried. “ I 
have finished that.” 

He felt light, and jumping over the rake 
and a water-can, he made for the house, with 
Turk after him. 

“ Mother, I’m through !” he cried. 

“ No, you hain’t ; you never finished any- 
thing in your life, onless it was your din- 
ner.” 

“ Come and see,” he insisted. 


’Lias has a Dream. 


21 


After a little grumbling she started, secret- 
ly hoping he had finished it all right. 

’Lias showed her the bed, with a dramatic 
flourish. 

His mother looked at it, a smile slowly 
spreading over her face. 

She fumbled in her pocket and put on her 
spectacles ; she looked critically along the 
rows. 

44 Nary a weed !” she cried cheerfully, 
44 nor an onion tramped on. Here”— she 
gave him a worn-looking nickel — “ now you 
do all I tell you to do that way, and we 
won’t have any more 4 ouchs ’ ! ” 

’Lias stretched himself beside her as they 
walked down the path between the tomato 
plants. He remembered Jack’s advice ; he 
drew in his chin and threw out his chest. 

44 I b’lieve them beans are needin’ work,” 
he remarked airily. 

44 So they are, so they are !” cried his 


22 


’ Lias has a Dream. 


mother. “ You can do that this afternoon, 
an’ after the snn gets cooler yon can carry 
the butter to the grocery.” 

’Lias sank together, and his chin fell. 

“ What’s wrong ?” inquired his mother. 

“ That old feelin’ in my breast. I b’lieve 
my heart’s out of fix. I felt all burnin’ 
around it while I was over them onions.” 

“ That’s strange, your bein’ so onheal- 
thy,” mused the fond mother. “ I’ll give 
you a dose of rhubarb to-night. ” 

She lowered her voice. “ Maybe you’d 
better say nothin’ about that bit o’ money. 
Marilly would be a-tearin’ up the whole 
garden in no time.” The good woman 
laughed silently. 

’Lias put his hand over the money. 

“ Jack was right,” he thought. “ ‘ Dig 
and delve’ will make you money. I don’t 
mind if I do see him again.” 

Just before he went in he tried a leap 


’Lias has a Dream. 


23 


over Turk’s back. He caught his toes and 
rolled into his mother’s washtubs with a 
great clatter. 

“ What’s in that boy?” thought she; 
“ thro win’ mud at the girls and hurtin’ 
Turk. I declare he must go to school.” 


' Lias Fails to See Jack. 


24 


CHAPTER II. 

’lias fails to see jack. 

How ’Lias lived to clean the bean rows 
and to carry the butter to the grocery was 
a wonder to him. Sometimes his throat 
seemed closed, and wild visions of having 
tits came to him. 

“ This heat is awful !” He rested on the 
hoe and looked down the long street that led 
to the depot. He saw the children playing 
hop-scotch, and felt how much pleasanter it 
was to play in the shade of the old elm 
growing in the school-ground than hoeing 
beans in the hot sun. 

Some one tapped against the window. 

“Hurry up, ’Lias,” called his mother; 
“I’m packing the butter.” 


’Lias Fails to See Jack. 


25 


He began again. His shoulders ached 
and his hands were blistered. 

“ If I get through this I’ll go to school 
next week, ” he resolved. 

His mother came out presently with the 
tin bucket neatly wrapped in a spotless 
white napkin. 

“ Don’t tarry on the road. The butter 
is firm now, an’ I’m anxious for it to reach 
Mr. Mills right away.” 

’Lias stepped away in his usual slouching 
gait. His mother looked worried ; she saw 
Father White, the village rector, coming 
down the street. 

“ Walk faster, dear,” she said softly, 
“ and I’ll bake you a little pie for supper.” 

Now these “little pies” were ’Lias’ es- 
pecial fancy. They were about the size of a 
coffee saucer, and it was his custom to de- 
vour them quickly, before his sister asked 
for any. He was a very selfish boy. 


If he had looked behind him he would 
have travelled faster, for pies or money or 
candy could not have the power to move 
him that Father White had. 

But he did not see him. The priest's 
light step did not reach his ears. He 
was thinking over his conversation with 
Jack-be-Nimble. The conversation seemed 
real, and he felt inclined to look after 
the bulbs that Jack had bestowed upon 
him. 

“ I guess I’ll get a chance yet to see 
what the queen wants,” he murmured. 

A light touch fell upon his shoulder. 
He looked about, his face flushed, but he 
pulled off his hat and said huskily : 

“ Good-evenin’, Father.” 

“ Good-afternoon, my boy. Why are you 
out of school ?” 

“ I hain’t been well,” said ’Lias. 

Father White smiled. The plump figure 


9 Lias Fails to See Jack . 


27 


and rosy countenance seemed poor certifi- 
cates of bad health. 

“ I’m well now, but mother needs me.” 
’Lias understood the Father’s smile. 

“ I suppose you’re a great help to your 
mother ?” continued the priest. 

’Lias thought over this. “I weeded the 
onion bed and hoed the bean rows to-day ; 
but — I feel awful sick when I work in the 
sun. I’ve got some trouble in my chest.” 
He put his hand upon his shirt front very 
pathetically. 

“ But you ought to get along in your 
studies. You’re growing to be a great boy, 
and I dare say now you couldn’t tell me 
what form of government we live under, 
could you ?” 

“ Oh, yes, Father,” said the boy. 

“ Well, and what is it ?” 

“ Chaos, Father,” was the firm answer. 

“ What ?” cried the astonished priest. 


9 Lias Fails to See Jack . 


28 

“ Here it is, right here, Father/’ and 
’Lias tore off a corner of the paper that pro- 
truded from under the napkin. It was a 
part of an editorial in the Weekly View. 
The boy put his finger on a line, and the 
perplexed priest read, “ The Government in 
its present form is chaos.” 

“ See, Father,” said ’Lias persuasive- 

!y- 

Father White studied the boy earnestly ; 
he tilted the round head back and said, 
“ My son, you’re a very stupid boy, or a 
very naughty one.” 

’Lias rubbed his eyes and commenced to 
whimper. 

“ That’s the way for babies !” cried the 
priest impatiently. “ Tell me, why are you 
never up for instructions ?” 

The boy looked about vaguely. He tilted 
on one foot, and then tried the other. 

“ Why ?” insisted Father White. 


’ Lias Fails to See Jack. 


29 


“ Well, it’s first one thing and then an- 
other, Father.” 

“Now promise me one thing, that you 
will be at the chapel Sunday at half-past 
eight. There’s a class up for instruction, 
and you must come.” 

“I will, Father,” said ’Lias earnestly. 

The priest turned to go. A look on the 
face turned upon him was pathetic. There 
were dirty rings about the eyes and a sus- 
picious redness of the lids. 

Father White took a begrimed hand in his 
own. 

“Tell me,” he said — “tell a lonely old 
priest that’s just worrying over you what 
you’ve been crying about.” 

’Lias broke forth afresh, and as the 
priest had one hand and the butter the 
other, the clear tears dripped and flowed 
across his ruddy cheeks and fell to the 
grass along the street. 


30 


9 Lias Fails to See Jack. 


“ I’m stupid, I’m lazy. Everybody says 
so. I don’t like to work when it’s so hot. 
I don’t know fractions, and I can’t remem- 
ber nothin’. I’m always bad, and how can 
I come to church ?” 

“Now, now,” consoled Father White. 
“ See what a lovely spring day, and now 
you’re almost done your tasks you’ll have 
time to think of something I’m going to 
tell you. What will you do when you are 
grown up like— like Mayor Mann V ’ 

“ That’s a long time away, Father,” mur- 
mured the boy. 

“No. How old are you ? Thirteen ; then 
five years more will find you either a good 
young man or a bad and wicked one. Who 
will support you then ? Surely not your old 
mother, whom you could help even now. If 
you are idle, then you will drift about a vaga- 
bond, a tramp, a heartbreak to your mother, 
a disgrace to me, and a prey for the evil one. ” 


’Lias Fails to See Jack. 


31 


“ Oil, Father !” cried ’Lias. 

“ Learn now to do all your little duties 
carefully. Look at your mother’s work, see 
if you cannot help carry a bucket of water 
or rub a few clothes. The sin of sloth will 
soon disappear. Now here is my street.” 

’Lias raised his cap, and the priest turned 
away. 

“Say,” he called after the boy, “would 
you like to earn a dime every day ?” 

The child’s eyes glistened. Father White 
needed no other answer. 

“ Come up at seven o’clock in the morn- 
ing, and I will show you how to feed and 
water my horse.” 

’Lias walked off nimbly. He had a sense 
of responsibility. 

“ I owe that Jack something, ” he thought ; 
“ he’s brought me luck.” 

He reached the grocery safely, and after 
the grocerman attended to his needs he gave 


. 32 


’ Lias Fails to See Jack. 


’Lias three or four bits of candy — something 
very unusual. 

The boy’s eyes shone, but with character- 
istic slowness he went out without thanking 
the man. 

Mr. Mills put up his candy jar, thinking 
on the lack of politeness some young Ameri- 
cans evidenced, when the door flew open 

/ 

and ’Lias stuck in his head. 

“ Say, Mr. Mills, thank you for that 
candy,” and he was off again. 

Mr. Mills laughed. ‘ ‘ That boy is a 

stupid, sure,” he said. 

’Lias came home by way of the school, and, 
as he hoped, who should be coming out but the 
blue frock of the girl he especially admired. 

“ Say, Jennie,” he called softly. 

She turned her blue eyes on him and said 
reproachfully, “ Hain’t you ashamed to 
speak to me, ’Lias ? See how you made me 
tear my apron.” 


'.Lias Fails to See Jack. 


33 


’Lias lmng his head and passed on. His 
feet grew heavy and his chin fell. 

“ There’s no use in a fellow tryin’ to be 
good here,” he thought. 

Jennie pattered on behind him. 

“ I got excused at half-past three,” she re- 
marked. “ I’ve got to mind baby while 
mother bakes.” 

’Lias grunted an unintelligible answer. 

“ I’ve got so many books to carry, they 
just tire me,” hinted Jennie ; but it was 
lost on her hearer. He walked on clumsily. 

4 ‘ ’Lias,” called Jennie softly, “ do carry 
my books.” 

He turned, his face glowing. 

“ Certainly ! Was that what you meant ?” 

The little girl nodded. 

“ Say, I didn’t hurt you to-day, did I ? 
1 didn’t aim at you .” 

“ No ; but you hit Rosy Winn in the ear, 
and she says she can’t hear good.” 


34 


"Lias Fails to See Jack. 


“ I don’t care !” said ’Lias ungallantly. 

“ But you ought. Teacher says a gentle- 
manly boy wouldn’t be guilty of such 
deeds, and I want you to be a gentleman ; 
’ sides you tore my apron.” 

“ How ?” asked the bewildered boy. 

“ I ran because I was afraid you’d hit me, 
and I caught the apron on a nail in the 
paling. I guess mother’ll scold me.” 

“ I’ll tell her I done it,” answered ’Lias 
tenderly. “ I don’t mind gettin’ whipped.” 

Jennie laughed. “ Mother don’t whip 
me ; she lectures.” 

“Not even if you shirk work and les- 
sons 3” asked ’Lias in amazement. 

“ I don’t shirk work,” said Jennie. “It’s 
wrong, and I like my lessons.” 

“ Where’s my class now ?” 

“They’re on the one hundredth page in 
arithmetic— that analysis page about car- 
pets and rooms.” 


’Lias Fails to See Jack, 


35 


’Lias groaned. 

“ I can’t keep up with them,” he said. 

“ Then if you are turned back you’ll 
have to go with Sammy Whitehead and all 
the little boys. Teacher said yesterday she 
wasn’t going to make any new classes.” 

“ Jennie, I’m going to come, but I ain’t 
going to study tiggers.” 

“ Your class in grammar is over in com- 
position. They had a beautiful lesson to- 
day, and the teacher let the primary class 
give words for the higher class to make 
sentences out of.” 

“ I never was much on that,” confided 
’Lias. 

“ I turn off here. Good-by, ’Lias.” 

“ Good-by, Jennie.” ’Lias walked on un- 
til he reached a fence-post. 

“ Say, Jennie, here’s something belongs to 
you,” called the boy. 

Jennie paused. “ What is it ?” she asked. 


36 


'Lias Fails to See Jack. 


“ Come and see ; it’s on the post.” 

He commenced to trot, and Jennie found 
six small pieces of candy on the fence. ’Lias 
looked back ; she was looking after him 
with a happy face. 

“ Thank you,” she called. He waved his 
hand, and in a minute he was at home. 

“ What did you buy ?” asked his mother, 
after she had examined her purchases. 

’Lias looked ashamed. “ I forgot I had 
it.” 

“ You’ll have it the longer,” laughed his 
mother. 

“ How fast the day is going!” remarked 
his sister, coming in from school. “ I was 
kept in fifteen minutes about my arithme- 
tic, mother.” 

“ I wish I could help you some at home, 
but I can’t,” sighed her mother. 

“ I have one example to study out, and 
then I will be free.” 


J Lias Fails to See Jaclc. 


37 


“What will you do then?” asked ’Lias 
with unusual interest. 

“ Why ?” inquired his sister in return, 
surprised that ’Lias the stupid should ask 
questions at all. 

“ ’Cause I want to tell you something.” 

u I can hear it now,” said she eagerly. 

“ No ; you get that example, and then 
come out on the step.” 

He ambled away to his favorite seat, in- 
tent on his own thoughts of the morning, 
when his mother said : 

“ ’Lias, I’m so tired this evening that I 
wish you’d bring me a bucket of water.” 

There was a quaver in his mother’s voice, 
as if she was afraid he would refuse. He 
sighed, but then the good Father’s words 
came in his mind, and he turned, saying : 

“ If you’ll just call me, mother, I’ll get all 
the water.” 

“ Did you ever ?” she cried to her daugh- 


38 


’ Lias Fails to See Jack. 


ter. “ ’Lias is that changed, just since this 
morning.” 

To be sure he spilled some water on her 
spotless floor, and stamped his feet on a 
favorite cat, but his mother swallowed the 
words that came, and said instead : 

“ You’re a great help to-day, ’Lias.” 

He went on out to the step, and calling 
Turk, they settled down again, dreaming in 
the closing day. 

To him the evening came with a sweet- 
ness he had never known before. 

How white the plum-tree was in the 
gloom ! What a home sound the old wooden 
pump had when he had brought the bucket 
of water ! And there was old Star “ mooing’ ’ 
at the draw-bars, her bell faintly tinkling. 
Inside the house he smelled the tea as it 
simmered for supper, and the odor of the 
coffee -cake his mother took pride in bak- 
ing mixed in with the plum scent and the 


’ Lias Fails to See Jack . 




daffodils, with their buff hoods shining in the 
grass. 

“ A great boy some day” — Father White 
had said so — and at work to support his 
mother and sister. 

He began to make plans at once, but his 
slow way of arriving at conclusions did not 
prompt him to take the pail and milk the 
cows when he saw his mother walking wear- 
ily to the milking lot. Instead he put his 
head into his hands and dreamed and 
dreamed — impossible things. Thinking how 
he wished Jack and the candlestick were real 
things. 

Presently his sister sat down by him. “ I 
solved my example, and I have put my dish- 
es on the table, and supper is all on waiting 
for mother to come in. Now you can tell me 
that something.” 

’Lias turned about eagerly. “ I’m a-going 
to work to-morrow. I’m going to feed and 


40 


’ Lias Fails to See Jack. 


water Father White's horse every morning 
at seven, and I’ll get a dime every day.” 

“ Oh !” exclaimed his sister. “ But what 

made him take you ? I’d think ” She 

stopped, as if a conclusion of the sentence 
might make trouble. 

“ He did though !” cried ’Lias proud- 

iy- 

“ What will you do with your money ?” 

“ I don’t know,” answered the boy, “ just 
yet. 1 guess I’ll give you a nickel now and 
then.” 

“ I’ll be so glad. I need a bottle of ink 
now, and I can’t ask mother, I know she’s 
got to pay oat so much.” 

’Lias put his hand over the nickel in his 
pocket. He could hardly make up his mind 
to give it to his sister, for he had resolved on 
buying Jennie a little present. 

“ Say,” he said hurriedly, “ don’t ask me 
any questions, an’ I’ll give you a five-center.” 


'Lias Fails to See Jack. 


41 


“ Only one?” answered his sister, with 
raised hand. 4 4 Did you steal it ?” 

“ No !” screamed ’Lias. “ Me steal !” 

“Then I’ll take it.” And as the money 
touched her palm, “ Thank you.” 

“ Supper is ready,” called their mother. 

“I’m so hungry, mother,” said ’Lias, 
“ I could chew anything.” 

“ You’re always hungry,” laughed his 
sister. 

He noticed when the pies were passed in 
some quaint little blue plates, with pictures 
of Dublin upon them, that his sister and 
mother had a pie apiece, while he had two. 
His first thought was how nice they were, 
and then a notion of his selfishness crept 
into his thoughts. He cut the last pie in 
three pieces, and rising, he put a piece in 
each plate. 

“ That’s fair,” he said, smiling. 

“ Something has come over ’Lias,” mur- 


42 


Lias Fails to See Jack. 


mured his mother, but she took the little 
squat cream jug and poured him an extra 
allowance over his pie. 

Then there came the cooling evening, 
when the single lamp sent out a merry- 
twinkle from the white, drawn curtain ; 
when the big jar of flowers under his fa- 
ther’s portrait filled the room with per- 
fume ; when his mother sat in her cane- 
seated rocker and darned the stockings. 

Marilly, his sister, swung in her chair, 
thumbing her book of Mother Goose : 

“ See saw, Margery Daw, 

Johnny shall have a new master ; 

He shall have but a cent a day, 

Because he can’t work any faster.” 

How the words hung in ’Lias’ ears ! He 
moved about collecting his books. His 
mother watched him placidly. 

“ It looks like somebody was going to 
school,” she said. 


’ Lias Fails to See Jack. 


43 


“If you don’t care,” answered ’Lias 
humbly, “ I will be glad as ever I could be. 

“Mother,” said ’Lias, ■ as he opened the 
door to his little room, ‘ ‘ will you wake me 
early? I want to go up to Father White’s.” 

“ Dear me,” cried the old lady in a flut- 
ter, u what is he going to do ?” 

Marilly told her, and her mother took off 
her spectacles to dry them. 

“ If ’Lias does grow up good I’ll be a 
happy woman.” 


44 ’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 


CHAPTER III. 

’lias spends another busy day. 

’Lias did not need any one to wake him 
the next morning. For the first time in his 
life he saw the sun rise, and felt that he 
could not stay longer in bed. 

He had a notion of how he could sur- 
prise his mother by having her fire ready. 
He slipped out very quietly, dressed him- 
self, and just had a roaring fire in the stove 
when who should walk in but his mother 
with her milk and cups. 

Her skirts were wet with dew, and her 
thin hands were blue with the chill air of 
an early spring morning. 

She was surprised to see the fire, and said 
so as she hovered over the warmth. 


'Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 45 

“ How early do you get out of bed, moth- 
er r 

u I try to get my milking over by half- 
past five, but I’m out of bed by five.” 

“ And Marilly and me sleep until half- 
past six, when you call us to breakfast.” 

“ It’s an old sayin’ that children need 
more sleep than old people,” answered his 
mother, smiling. 

’Lias noted the chill fingers and the wet 
shoes. 

“ Do you like getting up early, moth- 
er ?” 

“ Now you are askin’ close questions ; but 
to tell the truth, it needs all my work to 
bring me out of bed early these mornings. 
Some way I don’t sleep good in the fore part 
of the night, my knees hurt so.” 

’Lias straightened up and caught sight of 
himself in the looking-glass above the wash 
sink. It gave him a pang. He did not look 


46 'Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 

like the other boys. He was fat and lumpy. 
His coat had all the dust and soil of yes- 
terday upon it. One suspender was broken, 
and his shirt-collar was inside next to his 
neck. His hair was long enough to twist ; 
the boys had told him so often, but he had 
never noticed it. 

He picked up the water -pail and went to 
the pump. 

“ Here’s water, mother,” he called cheer- 
fully. 

“ Why, this is a reg’lar treat,” she an- 
swered. 

He searched about for soap, and filling 
the bowl, he scoured himself thoroughly. 

“ Mother, how can I get my hair cut ?” 

“ Why, I used to ’tend to it. But I’ve so 
much work to do now, that I don’t know 
when I’ll get time.” 

“ If I hurry home from Father’s will you 
show me how to help, so you can have time 


’ Lias Spe7ids Another Busy Day. 47 

this evening ? And, mother, please give me 
my Sunday shirt.’ ’ 

“ Child alive !” exclaimed the startled 
mother ; “ I never heard you talk so much 
in my life.’ ’ 

Presently breakfast was ready, and Marilly 
was called. She came down sleepily, rubbing 
her eyes to find ’ Lias with coat and trousers 
brushed, his shoes shining, a white shirt 
on, and his hair plastered tightly behind his 
ears with vigorous brushings. 

“What’s the matter with ’Lias?” she 
asked in amazement. 

’Lias pointed a fat forefinger at her and 
chanted : 

“ Zany, Zany, Zaddle Pate 
Went to bed early, 

And got up late.” 

“ Well, you never could say that before,” 
growled Marilly. 

“ Come, children, this morning is too pleas- 


48 ’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 

ant to me to have you quarrel. See what 
lovely eggs old Buff gave us for breakfast ; 
they’re white as snow, and we’ve two apiece 
and a bit of toast. Then it will soon be 
time for ’Lias to be at Father White’s.” 

“ I think everything has an extra taste 
this morning, mother ; don’t you ?” 

“ I’ve got a notion so ; but I haven’t 
made out the reason.” 

“ I know why ’Lias finds everything 
good,” said Marilly. 

“ Why ?” asked her brother innocent- 

iy- 

“Because you washed your face,” an- 
swered his sister sharply. 

For a minute war was near, but by judi- 
cious side talking Mrs. Leveve brought back 
peace. 

“ What do you suppose we have in the 
hay -mow this mornin’ V* 

The children could not guess, and she 


'Lias Spends Another Busy Day . 49 

said, “ Old Domineck has five chicks, just 
out of the shell.” 

Marilly dropped her fork, and away she ran 
to see the newcomers. ’Lias came to his feet 
slowly, intending to see them, too. His 
mother held up a warning finger and looked 
at the clock. 

“ I’ll be switched !” exclaimed ’Lias. “ A 
quarter to seven.” 

He looked disconsolately at an egg and 
the firm, yellow butter, but finally he was off 
and walking at a fair pace. 

“ Look - a - here !” cried Jack Hahn to 
Johnny Dillon ; “ see old puddin’-legs a-trav- 
ellin’. I’ll bet there’s somethin’ good to eat 
at the other end o’ the track.” 

“ Let’s f oiler him,” said John eagerly. 

They scuttled down the street, imitating 
’Lias as he hurried on in his waddling way. 

“ Hello !” called Jack Hahn. “ Your legs 
are runnin’ away with you.” 


50 ’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 

’Lias did not answer, but his face flushed 
when Dillon laughed. 

“ Take time, sonny,” said the latter pom- 
pously. 

’Lias turned off into the long grass-grown 
street towards the Father’s house. 

“ Where are you a goin’ ?” cried Jack 
Hahn in surprise. 

“ I’m goin’ to Father White’s ; won’t you 
go ?” But they were gone. Beside being a 
little afraid of Father White, they were de- 
cidedly quarrelsome about their views of re- 
ligion, and called the Catholic school -children 
“ cat-lickers, ” wdiile the latter called them in 
return “ pig-eaters” and “ fire-eaters.” 

“I see,” said ’Lias to himself, ‘‘that 
I must keep close watch or I shall fail 
somewhere in my promises to do bet- 
ter.” 

Father White was standing on his door- 
step, with one eye studying his plants and 


’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 51 

the other on the lookout for ’Lias, for he 
said, as the boy turned the corner : 

“ Oh, here you are ; and have you had 
breakfast? Yes?” 

He broke off a rosebud and handed it to 
’Lias. 

“ A few flowers make good companions, 
and give one healthy employment beside. ’ ’ 

The boy thought of wonderful Jack-be- 
Nimble. 

Suddenly he said to Father White, “ Fa- 
ther, do you have any faith in dreams ?” 

“ Oh, yes, my child ; the same faith I 
have when I’m awake, I’m sure.” 

“ I don’t mean that, Father. Do you 
think dreams ever come true ?” 

The good priest looked at him with a quiz- 
zical smile. 

“ You’ve been eating too much for supper, 
and have suffered the penalty. But — my 
horse has not breakfasted . 5 ’ 


52 ’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 

’Lias started ; lie had allowed himself to 
fall to pondering over nothing right under 
Father White’s eyes. 

“ I’m ready, Father,” he said. 

He was really afraid of the tall bay horse 
that turned his head from side to side to 
watch every movement the boy made. 

The priest stood watching them a minute. 

“ I think you’ll do. Now be careful in 
leading him to his water-trough and do not 
frighten him, or he will break away from 
you and give us trouble.” 

’Lias went on correctly enough. He took 
the halter and led the horse out of the 
stable to the well. As he tried to pump the 
animal thrust its nose impatiently against 
his arm, and the restless feet beat fiercely 
against the ground. ’Lias raised the halter’s 
end and slapped the horse’s nose ; he reared 
up, jerking the strap from the boy’s hand, 
and started on a plunging run about the 


'Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 


53 


priest’s garden and yard. The boy ran 
frantically after him, but he saw the salad-bed, 
the onions, and the young tomato plants 
crushed down, and, to his horror, he saw 
that the horse had jarred open the gate that 
led to the Father’s flower-beds. 

Away went the tearing hoofs, and as soon 
as ’Lias could he ran around to head him 
off. He almost screamed when he saw the 
rare pink tea-rose uprooted and dangling 
from the bay’s mouth. 

“ Hey, there !” cried a stern voice, and 
Father White ran out in great excitement. 
“ What does this mean?” he asked ’Lias 
severely. 

“ He jerked away from me,” answered he, 
with bent head. 

The priest spoke to the horse quietly, at 
the same time approaching him. He caught 
the halter with a firm hand, and, leading the 
horse to the stable, fastened the door securely. 


54 ’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 

’Lias was still standing by the flower- 
beds. All his dreams were gone. He had 
been careless, had broken his promise, and 
now Father White would never let him help 
him again. He thought once of going away 
and not even saying one word of apology, 
then his eyes saw the poor torn rose-bush. 
He took his knife, removed all the broken 
branches, straightened out the roots, and 
with careful hands replaced it firmly in its 
former home. 

He was not aware that the priest was 
watching him, until a kind voice ex- 
claimed : 

“ There, that has saved you. If you can 
do that so well and carefully, you can be of 
use.” 

’ Lias stood up and said tremblingly : 

“ Father, I hit the horse on the nose. I 
forgot what you said.” 

“ Ah ! ’Lias, these ‘ forgots if we could 


’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 55 

just put them out of our lives, how much 
more perfect our lives would be !” 

The boy looked up. Father White’s eyes 
were lifted to the deep blue of the western 
sky, and were filled with a look of pathetic 
earnestness. 

“We all forget many things,” he con- 
tinued, “ and I shall not be too severe.” 
He laughed. “ I shall punish you by insist- 
ing that you attend Mass.” 

He went to the chapel, and ’Lias, after he 
had arranged some other torn plants, went 
reluctantly enough to Mass. 

He was wanted again after that was over, 
and his new friend pointed out to him some 
plants he wanted removed to other beds. 
’Lias listened attentively, and went about 
his work slowly and carefully. 

It was nearly ’ Lias’ dinner-time when the 
work was finished. He stood on the walk 
a minute, hesitating about telling the Father 


56 ’Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 

lie had completed liis task, but finally ven- 
tured into his study, and said, “ Is there 
anything more, Father?” 

The priest looked at him kindly. “ No, 
not to-day ; but come to-morrow ; a little 
earlier, if possible, would suit my horse’s 
appetite better. I’ve been looking at you 
now and then as you bedded my plants, and 
I am pleased with you. To-day we will settle 
with this, and do not spend it foolishly.” 
He laid a new, shining silver quarter of a 
dollar in ’ Lias’ hand. 

“ All this, Father?” he cried joyous- 

iy- 

“That is little enough,” laughed the 
priest ; “ but you see I’m not rich.” 

’ Lias returned home speedier than he went 
away in the morning, and, I am sorry to say, 
almost made himself sick by eating an enor- 
mous amount of victuals. 

He felt stupid after, but it did not keep 


’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 57 

him from asking his mother every live min- 
utes : 

“ Ain’t you glad I’m making money ?” 

He called Turk after awhile, and together 
they strolled through the clover lot to a 
sunny place in a corner by the stables. ’Lias 
made believe to be hunting rats as busily as 
Turk, but it was not long before he was 
sound asleep, with Turk snuffing and growl- 
ing under the stable-sill. 

It was no wonder, then, that Jack-be- 
Nimble found him so easy, but he cried : 
“ I’m really tired trying to keep up with you. 
I’m so tired I can’t jump. I’ve got news for 
you. Our queen, who knows everything, 
has great hopes of you. She thinks you’d 
better turn your attention to finances alto- 
gether. We need a new financier in the 
kingdom.” 

’ Lias stared and asked, ‘ 4 What is a fine — 
fine «” 


58 ’Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 

“ Financier,” completed Jack. “ It’s a 
man to look after onr money, a real clever, 
thoroughly honest man. It’s quite a re- 
sponsibility, I can tell you. I had control 
of it once, but fell under the queen’s dis- 
pleasure by misplacing a sixpence. The 
books wouldn’t balance, and for awhile I 
was in great distress, and they had just 
sent for the chopper to chop off my head, 
when along came the crooked man who 
found the crooked sixpence, and it was 
the missing one, so, of course, my honor 
was vindicated ; but really it’s a place for 
a person of more than ordinary capacity 
for thought.” 

’Lias felt proud, and said so. 

“ Well, you may feel that way ; but it’s 
an unanswered question to me whether the 
honor and profit pays one for so many weary 
years. Dear me! I must have been chief 
financier for fifty years. ” 


’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day . 59 

44 Is the queen very rich?” asked ’Lias, 
feeling after his quarter. 

44 Dear me, yes,” cried Jack, beginning 
to grow restless in the absence of his usual 
exercise. 44 There’s all the eggs of gold that 
she recovered, and the rings the old woman 
wore at Banbury Cross, the crown that King 
Arthur wore when he made the famous pud- 
ding, and — well, really, I think I’m telling 
court secrets.” And he put his finger on 
his lip. 

44 But I shall have to know anyhow if I 
take care of it,” insisted the boy. 

44 That’s so r ” said Jack thoughtfully. 
44 But how do you like work? Isn’t it true 
that you can pick up money by being care- 
ful to keep your eyes open as you dig and 
delve ?” 

44 1 made a quarter to-day,” smiled ’Lias. 

44 Now that’s success. 4 Dig and delve,’ 
that’s a motto. There’s a fellow with us 


60 


7 Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 


now who has a heap of money because he 
picks up what other people drop. He even 
saved the courtesy that the maiden dropped 
on Primrose Hill. Oh, he is saving !” 

a I’m goingto work for the Father to-mor- 
row, too,” said ’Lias. 

“ See,” cried Jack, “ if 1 hadn’t a -set you 
to thinking about stirring around you 
wouldn’t be off the door-step yet. But 
stay !” — Jack struck another attitude — 
“ you’re not so fat. You’re growing thin.” 

“I do hope so,’ ’ answered the boy earnest- 

iy- 

“ But that head,” resumed Jack sadly, 
“ that hair ! You must really journey over 
our way. We’ve got a barber there, a kind 
soul, who shaves pigs, and charges only a 
pinch of snuff. I dare say he’d fix your 
head in no time.” 

“ Mother’s going to cut my hair,” an- 
swered ’Lias. 


’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day . 61 

“ That’s prudent,” said the restless little 
man, “ and saving. You won’t have to pay 
Tier anything.” 

This sounded unpleasant to ’ Lias, and he 
thought to himself, “ I wish he’d go.” 

“ And so I will,” snapped Jack instantly. 
“ I can hear what you think ; but I’ll see 
you later.” 

The boy looked after him as he leaped 
over weeds and rails and stones, until a great 
leaf got in the way and he was lost sight of. 

He thought a long time, but all the time 
somewhere near he heard low laughter and 
suppressed giggles. There was something 
awful crawling about his neck, but his 
hands would not obey him. He tried to call 
out, but no sound came. Nearer around to 
his ear came the awful, crawling thing. He 
made a great effort, and leaped back into 
wakefulness and every-day life, and there 
was Jack Hahn giggling on the fence. 


62 


’ Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 


“I’ve been a- ticklin’ your neck an’ nose 
fur an hour,” he cried. “ You’re the queer- 
est feller. I don’t know when I’ve laughed 
so.” 

’Lias felt for his quarter ; it was gone. 
His face grew white, and he felt sick of 
disappointment. 

“ Jack Hahn,” he cried hoarsely, “ you’ve 
stole my money !” 

“ I never !” screamed Jack. 

’Lias came closer. “ Give it to me ; 
you’ve got it.” 

“ You just dare,” said Jack, “ to come a 
step nearer. Money ? Where’d you get 
money ?” he sneered. 

’Lias paused. He had been a coward 
always at school, the boys said. He had 
been cuffed and laughed at until he was 
thoroughly cowed. He felt afraid Jack might 
hit him. 

The other boy saw the look on his face. 


’Lias Spends Another Busy Day. 63 

“ Coward !” he cried, and he picked up a 
piece of earth and flung it in ’Lias’ face. 

Jack could never tell why nor how, nor 
neither could ’ Lias, but there were arms and 
legs and heads tangled for awhile, and when 
it was over two bloody noses and the pri- 
vate opinion of each that the other was 
whipped. 

“ Do you want more?” cried ’Lias. 

“ Ain’t you got enough f ’ yelled Jack. 

But there was a diversion here. Turk 
was trying to give ’ Lias something he had in 
his mouth, and when the excited and trem- 
bling boy could hold out his hand, Turk 
dropped the quarter into it. 

It came to ’ Lias slowly : the fact that he 
was wrong, that he had accused a friend of 
stealing his money, and that that friend 
was innocent. Just as slowly the idea 
followed that he must make amends. 

“Say,” he blurted out, “I oughtn’t to 


64 


’ Lias Sjwnds Another Busy Day. 


have said that. I’ll give you some marbles 
to-morrow if you won’t be mad.” 

Jack rubbed his nose and grinned. 

“ All right,” he said; ‘‘but, gee! who’d 
a- thought you’d fight V' 


'Lias Makes a Neiv Acquaintance. 


65 


CHAPTER I V. 

’lias makes a new acquaintance. 

’Lias was not at all proud of his encoun- 
ter with Jack Hahn ; instead he was heartily 
ashamed of it. 

When his sister asked him how his face 
received so many scratches, and what made 
his eyes so swollen, he did not answer at 
all, and Marilly told Mrs. Lev eve that ’Lias 
was sulking again. He felt degraded, and 
wanted to clear himself mentady and morally 
of some incubus that he could not name or 
explain. He simply felt as if some awful 
weight was upon him. He could not enjoy 
his supper, although his mother had a dish 
of the clearest honey, with slices of bread 
that were white and fine. 


66 


Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 


“ Have you worked too hard to-day, 
’Lias?” anxiously asked Mrs. Lev eve. “It 
seems to me you’re not hearty as usual.” 

“I’m not sick. I just feel like I couldn’t 
eat.” 

“ You ain’t used to such hard work. It 
was extremely hot to-day. I see your eyes 
are puffed up.” 

“ I don’t feel a bit sick,” insisted ’Lias. 

‘ ‘ It don’ t do to try to do too much at once. ’ ’ 

“ I’ve been asleep all afternoon, and then 
Jack Hahn and ” 

He paused, wishing he did not have that 
sentence commenced. 

“I wish you wouldn’t go with that boy,” 
complained Mrs. Leveve. 

“We had a fight this afternoon,” blurted 
’Lias. 

“ A fight !” gasped Mrs. Leveve. 

“A fight!” cried Marilly. “Who whip- 
ped V ’ 


’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 67 

“ I did,” answered the boy firmly. 

“O ’Lias, you’ve always been a trial, 
but I didn’t think you’d go to fighting,” 
moaned his mother. 

Then Marilly made him go over the pro - 
ceedings of the afternoon, while she smiled 
gleefully over the recital. 

“ I just had a notion you’d let a baby 
whip you, ’Lias.” She looked at him al- 
most admiringly. ‘ ‘ I wonder if you could 
whip Pauly Yenty?” 

“ He’s bigger than I am,” the boy said. 

“ He’s not so heavy,” insisted Marilly. 

“ Fighting’s a disgrace,” quavered Mrs. 
Leveve. 

“ A boy’s got to fight sometimes.” 

“ And a sin,” resumed the mother. 

“ I don’t like to fight, mother ; don’t 
worry,” said ’Lias consolingly. 

Marilly looked disappointed. “I’d like 
you to whip Pauly. He said to-day that I 


68 ’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 

looked like a turkey egg, and said you was 
not worth your salt ; that you couldn’t even 
feed Father White’s horse.” 

A flash came into ’Lias’ pale-blue eyes. 

“ Marilly, hush up !” exclaimed Mrs. 
Leveve. “ I never saw such a girl, a-trying 
to make trouble between friends.” 

Marilly subsided, but kept up a running 
conversation of signals with ’Lias. 

’ Lias tried to avoid any conversation 
about the fight, and hunted around until he 
found a catalogue of plants, over which he 
spent an hour, asking his mother about roses, 
and telling her about Father White’s plants. 

“ I’ve got some tea-roses,” mused Mrs. 
Leveve, “ but they need fixing up and prun- 
ing. I didn’t know you cared for flowers, 
’Lias.” 

“Ido though.” 

When eight o’clock sounded from the old 
brass clock he picked up his belongings 


'Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 69 

and put them away neatly. His mother 
was dozing in her chair. 

“Mother,” called ’Lias, “wake me, 
won’t yon, to start the fire ?’ ’ 

“ You ?” said Marilly. 

“We’re growing old enough to help 
mother. Father White says if we’d just do 
little things we’d soon learn how helpful 
we could be.” 

Marilly looked thoughtful. 

“ I don’t believe mother would let me 
help,” she said. 

“ Don’t believe that,” returned ’Lias, as 
he closed his room door. 

A slow rain set in through the night, 
the fore part of which had been so clear 
and beautiful. The steady rhythmic down- 
pour smoothed all care creases from ’Lias’ 
forehead. Never before had he found the 
bed so comfortable nor the clean comforts 
and spreads so warm and inviting. 


70 ’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 

The great clock in his mother’s room 
was striking. ’Lias raised his head. One, 
two, three, four, he counted. 

“ I can sleep an hour,” he thought. 
“ Mother wants to be up at five.” 

He peered out the window ; no sign of 
day, not even the faintest streak of dawn ; 
but the rain was pouring down with a patter 
on walks, in barrels, and in the cistern. 

“ Ugh !” shivered ’Lias, burying himself 
in the covers. 

It was not four, as he thought, but five 
o’clock, and already Mrs. Leveve was plac- 
ing her kindling in the kitchen stove. 

When she awakened at five, her first 
thought was to call her son when she heard 
the rain pouring down. She felt weak and 
stiff of joints, but old habits asserted them- 
selves. 

4 4 Dear me ! 1 might just as well go at it ; 
I couldn’t sleep,” she thought. 


’Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 71 

’Lias did not awaken again until the 
dishes rattling brought to him some mem- 
ory of work to do. He sprang from bed 
and rushed into the sitting-room to see the 
clock. 

“ Half-past six!” he cried. “ Mother, 
why did you let me sleep ?” 

“ It’s such a bad morning, and you can 
come right in and eat. You won’t be 
late. ” 

“Where’s Marilly ?” ’Lias was half 
afraid she would be up. 

“ I haven’t called her. I’ll just wait on 
you, and let you get off to Father White’s.” 

’Lias was too hurried to enjoy breakfast. 
He jerked on his coat, and picking up his 
hat, was off, leaving his mother calling 
about an umbrella. 

If he walked quickly the morning before, 
he ran now, a steady, splashing gait that 
brought him to the priest’s house ten 


72 ’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 

minutes before seven. He took the key 
from the housekeeper in a business-like 
way, and she told him that Father White 
would be busy for some time, but that he 
(’Lias) was to come to the house in the 
afternoon. 

’Lias was very careful this time. He ar- 
ranged the hay as the priest had shown 
him, and put the corn and oats in their 
separate boxes. Then he took the bay out 
to the trough, and gave him his supply of 
water. As he led the prancing animal back 
he was astonished to hear a voice say : 

“ Hello ! how long have you been work- 
ing here V' 

“ I commenced yesterday,” answered 
’Lias, wondering who the questioner could 
be. 

“ Ain't that horse a beauty ?” exclaimed 
the man with fervor. 


“ Yes, he is,” affirmed the boy. 


7 Lias Makes a JSeiu Acquaintance . 73 

“ I’d think Father White would be afraid 
to ride such an animal, he bein’ kind of 
staid and old.” 

“ He knows Father White,” thought 
’Lias. 

He led the horse on towards his stable, 
but for some reason, try as he might, he 
could not unclasp the catch at the door. 
The man was over the fence in an instant. 

“ I’ll open it,” he cried. “ That horse 
a-prancin’ that way, of course you couldn’t 
open it.” 

He went in the stable and stared about 
with curious eyes. 

“ That’s his saddle, I reckon, and bridle, 
an’ all hung right to hand, an’ neat as neat 
can be. An’ what a saddle ! Fine ? I just 
reckon. ’ ’ He investigated further. 4 ‘ Road 
cart, top buggy. Lord ! how some folks 
can have the fat of the land while beggars 
starve.” He shook his head and scowled. 


74 ’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 

“ I reckon Father White locks all this up 
mighty securely. ’ 

“ Of course,” answered ’Lias. 

The man walked over and inspected the 
door fastening. He laughed loudly. 

“ Just what I expected — worse than no 
lock at all. I bet he uses one of those old 
flat keys.” He looked at ’Lias interroga- 
tively. 

“ Here’s the key,” answered the boy. 
“ I must lock up now.” 

u Lemme see; I’ll lock the door,” said 
the stranger. He laughed again. “ Yes, 
easy to open as falling off a log.” 

He put his hand in his pocket and started 
towards the fence. 

“ Give me the key !” cried ’Lias. 

“ The key 2” The man looked aston- 
ished. “ Why, did I put that key in my 
pocket? How careless!” He pulled out a 
handful of keys and looked over them care* 


'Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 75 

fully. “ There you are,” he said at last. 
“It’s nearly like some of my keys. I had 
to look sharp. Well, good-by — good-by. 
Maybe I’ll see you again.” He went away 
laughing. 

’Lias knocked at the housekeeper’s door 
and gave her the key. 

“ Will Father White need me for any- 
thing else this morning ?” asked ’Lias. 

“ No ; but be sure to come about two 
o’clock this afternoon.” 

“ I will,” answered the boy. 

He saw the stranger far down the street 
as he came out of the priest’s gate, and 
when he turned into the one running home- 
ward he saw the man going in at his moth- 
er’s gate. 

He came out directly and walked rapidly 
towards the hollow that was given over to 
negro cabins and dense groves of swamp wil- 
low. 


76 ’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 

‘‘Who was that man?” he asked his 
mother. 

“ Just a tramp,” answered she placidly. 

“ That’s queer,” thought ’Lias. 

He felt there was something to think out, 
but he could not manage it, and finally for- 
got all about it. 

Up at the priest’s house the forenoon was 
drawing to a close when there came a sick 
call some miles out in the country. 

Father White hastened to the stable after 
he had secured his key. Tu rn as he might and 
shake and rattle the clasp would not unlock. 

“This is not my key to the stable,” he 
called to the housekeeper. 

“ It is the one the little boy gave me, Fa- 
ther,” answered the woman. 

“I’ll get the one I keep in my desk,” 
said the priest. “ It’s lucky I did that. I’m 
always afraid of losing the other or having 
it misplaced.” 


’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 77 

He was soon ready, and said : ‘ ‘ Tell my 
boy to wait for me if I’ in not here before he 
comes.” 

’ Lias came in early, and as the priest was 
absent he cut up some few weeds about the 
garden and tied up some vines lying on the 
ground. 

He was busy quite awhile before he saw 
the priest coming up the street. He hasten- 
ed to open the stable door, that he might 
earn some word of praise. 

“ How did you happen to change keys 
this morning f’ asked Father White. “A 
nice time you gave me to get Bay Joe out of 
the stable.” 

“ I didn’t change keys, Father,” answer- 
ed ’Lias. 

The priest looked at him curiously. 

“ I know,” muttered ’Lias ; “ it was that 
man.” 

4 * 


“ What man ?” 


78 9 Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 

Slowly and by hard work, as he after- 
wards said, Father White drew out the story 
of the man who was so curious about the 
horse and his belongings. 

“ He kept my key, then, and gave you 
one of his own,” mused Father White. 

“ He said the key was so like some of his 
own, he couldn’t tell them apart, Father.” 

The priest smiled. “ I dare say,” was his 
comment. He studied awhile, then said : 
“’Lias, run ask your mother if you can 
stay all night with me. I may need 
you, and you will, no doubt, see that man 
again. ” 

Although he did not understand in the 
least, he went dutifully. His mother was 
quite excited over such an event as ’Lias 
being invited out for the night, and kept 
him a good half hour to change his clothes 
and to caution him how he should behave. 

The priest had a bit of work laid out for 


’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 79 

* Lias. The rain had made the garden ready 
for the cabbage plants and young tomatoes. 
’Lias went about the work slowly, but Father 
White saw he was working conscientiously, 
and so left him to look after the business 
alone. The priest nailed up the outer door 
of the stable that opened into the alley, 
and ’ Lias could not understand why Father 
White should send him to lead Bay Joe to 
a neighbor’s stable for the night. 

’Lias was astonished when he sat down 
to tea with the priest. Some dim percep- 
tion of the epigram, “ We eat to live, not 
live to eat,” filtered into his brain. He 
wondered if the Father was very poor. ’ Lias 
climbed up to the little room assigned him, 
and the housekeeper showed him that one 
of its doors opened into her room, if he felt 
afraid. 

“ I’m not afraid,” answered ’Lias ; “ but I 
feel chilly.” 


80 ’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 

He missed the cheery fire his mother al- 
ways kindled on cool evenings or in damp 
weather. 

He lay awake for a long time, and it 
seemed to him he had not slept at all when 
Father White stood over him. 

“ Come with me,” he whispered. 

’ Lias drowsily obeyed, not realizing where 
he was. 

“ Shake yourself awake,” said the priest 
as they went down-stairs, “ and make as 
little noise as possible.” 

He blew the light out and opened the door 
cautiously. They kept in the shadow of 
fruit-trees, and as ’Lias gathered his scat- 
tered ideas he saw two men walking silent 
as cats behind them. It gave him a start, 
but Father White pressed his hand warn- 
ingly. 

They skirted the fence, and the two men 
placed themselves to the left of the door. 


’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 81 

To his surprise ’Lias saw that the door was 
slightly opened. 

The priest and the men seemed to be lis- 
tening intently, and ’ Lias listened also. He 
heard something moving in the stable, and 
presently a bump, followed by some words 
growled out in a savage undertone. 

There was a long silence, then a match 
was scratched, and a faint glare of light came 
through the door. There was an exclama- 
tion of surprise. 

Rapid footsteps sounded now, and a 
man dashed out. His arms were caught 
by the two men who were stationed at the 
door. 

“ Is this your man, Father White?” one 
of them asked, as he opened a lantern slide 
and turned the light upon the prisoner’s 
face. 

“ Is this the man you saw this morning V' 9 
asked the priest of ’ Lias. 


82 'Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 

“ Yes, Father,” answered the boy. 

The man looked at him spitefully. “You 
hain’t such a fool as you looks to be,” he 
said, grinning. 

“ We’ll not keep you up, Father,” said 
one of the men laconically. “ Good -night.” 

The other paused. “We will need you in 
the morning awhile. We may get some 
light on the many robberies going on for the 
year past,” he added in a low tone. 

Father White nodded. “ I thought of 
that,” he said. 

If the priest slept that night ’Lias did 
not, and in the morning he felt sick and 
giddy. 

Then he was up to give in his evidence, 
which he did clearly, though he w r as half 
frightened to death. As he walked home he 
found himself an object of much attention. 

“That’s him a-comin’,” cried one boy, 
who had been used to ding mud and bad 


’Lias Makes a New Acquaintance . 83 

words at him. “ See how swollen his eyes 
are. I’ll bet he had a hard time catchin’ 
that robber.” 

“ That’s ’Lias Leveve,” explained another 
boy to a youngster who was unknown to 
’Lias. “He’s been takin’ care of things for 
the priest. Las’ night he heard a noise at 
the stable, and there was a man leadin’ out 
the priest’s horse. ’Lias grabbed him and 
yelled, and the man tried to shoot him, but 
’Lias caught his pistol hand, and some fel- 
lers heard and run in just in time to save 
him. I tell you he’s game.” 

Yeley, the cobbler, came out of his shop 
door wiping his hands on his leather apron. 
He was a wiry, nervous old man. 

“ Shake hands !” he cried to ’Lias, peer- 
ing over his spectacles. “ I kind a-thought 
you daft in time past, but I see you have got 
sand. You’re brave, an’ have done us a pub- 
lic good. I’ m proud you b’ long to Millville. ” 


84 ’ Lias Makes a New Acquaintance. 


“ I hain’t done nothin’,” mumbled ’Lias. 

“ True sign of greatness. A great man 
never blows about it. Go home ; I hear your 
mother’s almost insane.” 

Earlier Mrs. Hahn had turned her blue- 
checked apron over her head and run 
breathlessly over to Mrs. Leveve. 

“ Dear me !” she cried, “ I don’t believe 
in leavin’ people unprepared for bad news. 
Brace up, you poor woman ! ’ Lias has been 
hurt bad, but he hain’t dead.” 

When ’Lias reached home the air resound- 
ed with wailings, and he wondered why his 
mother hugged him so frantically. 

“ And you’re alive?” asked Mrs. Hahn 
disappointedly. 

“I hain’t no idea of dyin’,” declared 
’ Lias. 


'Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances , 85 


CHAPTER V. 

’lias tries to explain circumstances. 

“ Where did lie hit you, dear?” sobbed 
Mrs. Leveve. 

“ Who hit me ? I haven’t been hit.” 

“ You poor boy ! and the only boy I’ve 
got, too,” she wailed, not hearing ’Lias at 
all. 

“ Mother, I tell you I haven’t been hurt, 
nor hurt anybody, nor there hain’ t nothing 
wrong, ’cept I’m hungry enough to starve. 
I know I couldn’t be a priest ; my health 
would go in no time.” 

“ Mrs. Hahn said you was killed,” sobbed 
Mrs. Leveve, looking at him cautiously. 

“ No,” corrected Mrs. Hahn; “ I said he 


was hurt, but not dead.” 


86 ’Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances . 


“ Well, I hain’t hurt nor dead,” returned 
’Lias. 

Mrs. Leveve recovered rapidly. 

“ I know you’re hungry. Come right 
into the kitchen.” 

She looked at Mrs. Hahn somewhat con- 
temptuously. 

“ Stay awhile, Marthy, I’ll be in di- 
rectly.” 

“ No, I can’t ; I left my breakfast dishes,” 
returned her neighbor, with a crimson face. 
“ I’m glad you are not hurt, ’Lias, I’m 
sure,” she said. 

“ So am I, but I believe everybody’s gone 
crazy.” 

’Lias ate until he felt he could not safety 
eat any more. 

“Now I want to hear all about this talk,” 
said Mrs. Leveve. 

’ Lias went carefully over the events of the 
night and the previous morning. 


'Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances . 87 

“ Now you see, mother, I did not do any 
great deed nor get hurt.” 

“ What scandalizers some people can be !” 
ruminated Mrs. Leveve. “ To think I gave 
that villain one of my nicest coffee-cakes.” 

“ It won’t hurt him, mother.” 

“ I guess you’ll be going to school Mon- 
day, and not work for Father White V ’ 

“ I am going to school and work, too. I 
wouldn’t give either one up. I’ve got one 
sin, mother, I must get rid of or I can’t 
accomplish anything, and Father White 
keeps me stirred up. He says I can’t talk 
properly, and that as long as I am too lazy 
to study I will be called stupid. If my 
hands are soiled he makes me wash them, 
or if I am not neat any way, I know that I 
must make myself presentable before I can 
talk to him.’ ’ 

“ But you've always been so unhealthy. 
There’s your heart always a-troublin’ you.” 


88 1 Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 

“ I feel ever so much better than I ever 
felt before.” ’Lias laughed a little and add- 
ed, “ I think I was lazier than unhealthy, 
mother ; I never failed to eat.” 

“ That’s not always a sign of health, hearty 
appetites. Your grandmother took her six 
cups of coffee and four or live eggs, not to 
say anything about the biscuit and cake 
she’d eat each meal, yet she never had a 
well day.” 

“ No wonder,” laughed her son, as he 
thought of his grandmother’s width and 
weight. 

“ To-morrow I’m going into the class pre- 
paring for First Communion,” said ’Lias. 

Mrs. Leveve sighed. “ It’s best, I guess. 
I haven’ t been in the chapel here for years, 
but I reckon if you get to stirrin’ round so 
as to help, that I’ll try to get back in my 
church again. Marilly’s set on taking les- 
sons on the piano if the priest can have the 


’ Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 89 

Sisters here, so I reckon it’ll come out all 
right.” 

“ What’s the good of Marilly taking mu- 
sic lessons ?” grumbled ’Lias. 

“ Oh, they’re all sayin’ how well she 
sings an’ all, and Miss Blethins thinks her 
a real wonder ; says she’ s so bright for her 
age ; says she’s equal to any of her age in 
the cities. Miss Blethins knows, for she’s 
lived in the city always. I've seen her name 
on programmes, too, in the church societies. 
She sings mighty well.” 

“ Music’s good enough in its place,” said 
’Lias with an air ; “ but what we need is 
an actual lining these times, and how to get 
it is the question. ” 

“ That’s true,” murmured his mother. 

“I heard Father White talking to a 
farmer the other day, asking how he was do- 
ing, and if he was putting in any crop. The 
man said he intended planting nearly all his 


90 ’ Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 

little bit of land in onions and Irish pota- 
toes ; that onions always sold well, and that 
there had been such poor potatoes raised for 
two years, that a good price might be ex- 
pected this year, if one could raise good 
ones.” 

“Yes,” murmured his mother as ’Lias 
paused ; “ but what of that ?” 

“ It’s that clover lot of an acre and a half , ” 
smiled ’Lias ; “I want to put potatoes in it.” 

Mrs. Leveve held up her hands. 

“ What would I do with Star ?” 

“ There’s the grass in the pasture along 
the creek.” 

“ It’s so far to go to milk.” 

“ I’ll bring her to you nights, and take 
her out in the mornings.” 

She shook her head doubtingly. 

“Just think, mother” — ’Lias talked very 
seriously — “April is nearly over, and I had 
best get them out in the dark of the moon ; 


'Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 01 

that’s what that farmer said to do. School’s 
out first of June, and I’ll be idle and stupid 
unless 1 have work to do. Father White says 
he’s seen boys of my age support a small 
family, and Fm not going to be called a stu- 
pid, lazy boy any longer. I can soon make 
enough to pay for the ploughing of the 
ground, and 1 know 1 can keep the weeds 
out.” 

“ We’ll talk it over.” Mrs. Leveve picked 
up her cup towel. “ I’ll have to see the 
profit in it before I touch that clover field.” 

It was only a question of a few days until 
she came to think as her son wished her to, 
and. if ’Lias had any desire to back out of 
hard labor, he felt that he had literally 
burned his bridges behind him. 

Jack Hahn’s father would break the field 
up for the small price of a dollar a day, 
and ’Lias thought it would cost him no 
more than two dollars anyway. Just where 


92 9 Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 

he was to find the seed was another ques- 
tion. He did a large visiting among his older 
acquaintances for two or three weeks, inter 
viewing about specialties in potatoes and 
the planting of them. 

Old men who had never thought of him 
twice said that he was getting to be a likely 
boy, and various odd jobs fell into his hands 

He had a dollar put by that he had earned 
at Father’s White’s, but it was to pay for 
the ploughing. 

One day he was at the Mills grocery, with 
the vexing problem in his mind of where was 
he to get potatoes to plant. 

“ See here, ’Lias,” said Mr. Mills, “ here’s 
a man wants to trade off potatoes for 
work in a truck patch. Maybe that’s your 
chance.” 

The man studied ’Lias. “ I want a quick 
and careful hand, to rise early and work 
late.” 


^ Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances . 93 

“ If Father White will let me off for two 
days I will try to please you, sir.” ’Lias 
spoke firmly. 

“ See about it quickly then ; I want to be 
leaving town in an hour.” 

’Lias was forced to hurry as he had never 
done before. The lazy ’Lias rebelled and 
exclaimed, “ What’s the use of all this 
flurry ? Mother’s not suffering. It’s just as 
easy to live poor as to try to be always 
pushing to make something.” 

Then the new ’Lias would argue : “ You 
are growing up, and you’re ignorant and 
poor. Your chances are all passing. If you 
don’t study you’ll be a dunce ; if you won’t 
work you’ll never be anything but poor.” 

Father White thought it a good plan, 
and said some good words of encourage- 
ment to the boy. 

“ I’ll keep your place here for you,” he 
called after ’ Lias. 


94 'Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 

As lie sat in the farm wagon jolting along 
the rough country roads, he felt very little 
enthusiasm over his new venture. Mr. 
Blaudet, his employer, was brusque and 
overbearing. The weather was a little chill 
for April, and as soon as the farm was 
reached he was ordered to take out the 
horses, water them, feed them, and report 
for supper. 

’Lias was unused to such work, and but 
for a negro pottering about the stable would 
have found it difficult to unharness the 
team and be ready by the time the bell 
clanged its call for supper. 

The food was plentiful enough, but the 
boy missed his dainty dishes that his mother 
prepared so easily. 

He could not eat much, and, rising, asked 
to be excused. 

“ Can’t you eat our rations?” asked 
Blaudet roughly. 


'Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 95 

“ I’m not hungry to-night, ” answered 
’Lias. 

“ Go into the kitchen and be cuttin’ po- 
tatoes for to-morrow’s plantin’,” ordered 
his employer. 

’Lias shifted uneasily from foot to foot, 
his face flushed, and he looked appealingly 
at a Swede with a kind face who sat next 
him at supper. He raised his eyebrows in- 
terrogatively, rising at the same time. 

“ My appetite’s failed, too,” he said coolly. 
“ One can’t eat much of such a rich repast.” 

Some of the men laughed, but the others 
‘looked rigid ; Blaudet frowned. 

“ Come on,” said Matthias to the boy; 
“ there’s one time to do a thing here, and 
that’s all the time.” 

In the kitchen were four barrels of pota- 
toes. 

“ This is our pleasant little recreation be- 
fore bedtime. When we’re through we can 


96 ’ Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 

sleep the sleep of the just. Don’t know 
how ? So I thought. Well, you’ve got a 
mighty few minutes to learn in. Blaudet 
will come out in no time. See,” and he 
commenced with careful patience to show 
the weary boy how to cut the potatoes to 
please Blaudet. 

“ He splits them so,” he explained. 
“ That makes all the eyes on top in each 
piece. You’ll be expected to put them just 
that way”— he laid the cut upon the lioor — 
“ when you’re plantin’ to-morrow.” 

’Lias gave it his best attention, and when 
Blaudet came out directly he looked sharp- 
ly at the work, but said nothing. 

From time to time Matthias would put 
his cuttings in ’Lias’ measure, with an en- 
couraging word or smile. 

Presently the Swede looked up at Blau- 
det. ’Lias was fast asleep, with his head 
against his friend’s knee. 


'Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 97 

Blaudet followed the look. He raised his 
foot to give him a push or kick, whichever 
his conscience called it, but the Swede inter- 
posed angrily. 

“ No you don’t,” he cried. “ I’ll take 
his measure through,” he said. 

Blaudet shrugged his shoulders. “ The 
more fool you.” 

The Swede lifted the boy, and with an 
inquiry as to where he was to sleep, he 
carried him off to his bed, removing his 
shoes and coat. A lamp glimmered late 
that night in the chilly kitchen ; the 
lonely Matthias bent over his double task 
cheerfully. 

’Lias was surprised to find himself already 
dressed in the morning, and he looked with 
horror at the dingy bedclothes and tumbled, 
untidy room. 

“ How can a body live this way V 9 he 
thought. 


98 ’ Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 

A bell rang sharply, and heavy steps 
sounded hurriedly up the creaking stairs. 

44 Tumble out !” cried Matthias. 4 4 You 
won’t have any time to wash your face. 
Hurry ! The old man’s just rearing. Some- 
body left the cowlot gate open last night, 
and the cattle’s eat up a lot of his early cab- 
bage. I tell you there’s fun in the air to- 
day.” 

When they reached the table Blaudet was 
already eating savagely, as if the victuals 
were personal enemies, and he enjoyed chew- 
ing them up. 

He glared from under his eyebrows at 
’Lias, but said nothing. 

Before ’Lias had time to drink his black 
coffee Blaudet pushed back his chair. 

44 Be in the fields by six-thirty,” he said 
coldly. 

It was already a quarter- past six o’clock. 

44 That means us,” said Matthias, indi- 


'Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 99 

eating the few men at the table ; “ the teams 
have been out an hour.” 

’ Lias stumbled over the clods awkwardly, 
taking up his row with a regretful thought 
of his mother and Marilly over the pleasant 
breakfast-table. 

“ I’ll do it, though,” he muttered ; “ I’ll 
not turn back now. ” 

The work went on silently, the men look- 
ing gloomy and sullen. There were no 
snatches of song nor exchanges of jokes. 

Sometimes ’Lias found a half or a third 
of his row planted, and was puzzled until 
he saw a cheery glance in Matthias’ eyes and 
a knowing nod. 

“ Who is that boy yonder ?” he whispered 
to the Swede as they passed each other. 

“ Blaudet’s boy. A loving father, eh ?” 

’Lias had been watching the thin, stooped 
boy whenever he could. His clothes were 
ragged, and he was barefooted, although he 


100 7 Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances, 

was all of sixteen years of age. His large 
eyes, darjs: and clear, were filled with a pa- 
thetic look that made ’Lias very sad. 

He tried to speak a kind word to him 
once, as they passed each other on the way 
to the house for dinner. 

The boy smiled a strange smile that showed 
a clot of blood upon his lip. 

“ What done that?” asked ’Lias of the 
Swede. 

“ In the stables a bit ago his good father 
struck him with a bridle because he let a 
measure of oats fall.” Matthias growled 
something under his breath. ‘‘That boy’ll 
die as his mother died last year, just drop 
dead at work. He hain’t got strength now 
to stand.” 

When ’Lias’ two days’ work was finished 
he had learned more about the rough side 
of life than he had ever expected to know. 

He had learned, too, to have sympathy for 


’ Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances . 101 

another’s trouble without thinking of him- 
self. He had seen Blaudet’s son kicked un- 
til even ’Lias clinched his hands to restrain 
his fury. He had seen the boy driven from 
the table before he had half finished his 
meal. 

“ Why don’t you big fellows keep him off 
that boy ?” ’Lias asked one of the men. 

“ Our business is to earn our wages and 
not lose our place.” The man frowned a 
little. “ Why don’t the boy cut and run ?” 

’Lias wondered about that, too. Surely 
the world was wide enough to hide in. 

He delayed Yal at the pump one day and 
said, “ Why don’t you run away from 
Mm V ’ 

The boy answered coldly, without looking 
at him, ‘ ‘ I will not leave my sister alone. ’ ’ 

His sister? ’Lias had never regarded 
Marilly as a factor in his life, and he com- 
menced a new train of reasoning. If Marilly 


102 ’Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 

was here in Yal’s sister’s place, and he was 
Yal, would he think enough of her to stand 
so much abuse ? He could not answer it 
satisfactorily, but it was the dawning of a 
new life for Marilly. 

“ My time’s up,” he said to Blaudet the 
evening after the second day. “ I will see 
my potatoes measured out, and then I will 
start for home.” 

“ In the morning, young man— in the 
morning ; meanwhile fall to work oiling this 
harness to pay your night’s keep.” 

’Lias had intended to walk in that night, 
but he made the best of it by having a word 
or so to say to Yal, who was having a heavy 
chill. 

“ When you come in town come to see 
me. I have lots of things I want you to 
see.” 

“ I can’t,” shivered Yal ; “ father won’t 
let me.” 


’Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 103 

“ Then I’ll walk out to see you.” 

“ Well,” was the cheerless answer. 

The next morning he tumbled out early 
to find his potatoes sacked and waiting 
him. 

Blaudet came around in an apparently 
cheerful humor. 

“ I’m going into town to-day, and I’ll 
haul you and them in for fifty cents.” 

’Lias hesitated ; the sense that was slowly 
awakening told him to look at the potatoes. 
He ojjened a sack slowly, and, just as he ex- 
pected, it was filled with imperfect pota- 
toes, over half rotten — in fact, the refuse of 
Blaudet’ s potato store. 

“ Mr. Blaudet,” ’Lias’ voice shook, and 
his face grew white, “ I can’t take these 
potatoes for my work.” 

“ Yes, but you will !” thundered Blaudet. 

“ I will not,” said ’Lias firmly. “Come 
here, Matthias.” 


104 ? Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 


The Swede came up with an insolent look 
at Blaudet. 

“ I want you to hear that I will not ac- 
cept these for my work, and I want you to 
see how rotten they are, ” 

He opened sack after sack, while Blaudet 
fumed. 

“ You’ll take them,” he screamed at last, 
“ or you’ll get nothing !” 

The boy paused and said wearily, “ I can't 
take these.” 

“ Fill these sacks with good potatoes, 
Blaudet ; I’ll help you.” 

The Swede spoke with an air of com- 
mand. 

Blaudet turned on him furiously. “ ’Tend 
to your business, or I’ll ” 

“ You’ll lend me the roan to ride to Mill- 
ville ; his master’s looking for him, and it 

might ” He looked at Blaudet with 

smiling assurance. 


’Lias Tries to Explain Circumstances. 105 

The man’s face turned ashy. He hesi- 
tated and said, “ Do it yourself ; I won’t,” 
and retreated. 

The Swede shook his fist after him. “ I 
had to say it, eh ?” 

“ Now, sonny,” he smiled consolingly at 
’Lias, “ we will just hurry these out and 
good ones in, and I will drive you to town. 
I guess I’ll take a rest anyhow. Blaudet 
and me ain’t close friends.” 


106 ’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream . 


r> 

CHAPTER VI. 

’lias finds life a dreary dream. 

Matthias and a man of Blaudet’s drove 
into town together. 

The Swede was very thoughtful all the 
way. 

“ You can just drive the team home,” 
he said to the man. “ Blaudet and me 
squared up yesterday, and if he let’s me 
alone I'll let him alone.” 

“ All right. I heard you and him had 
quarrelled this morning.” 

“ Nothing serious.” 

Matthias looked over ’Lias’ lot with a 
practical eye. 

“ I want to help you in with that,” he 


’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 107 

said. “ If you’ll let me stay here a week 
I’ll get it in without a bit of worry.” 

’Lias consulted his mother. 

“ I guess as you’ve undertaken it, you 
might as well hurry,” she said. “I don’t 
see where he’s to sleep, though.” 

Matthias was consulted. 

“ I can sleep in the kitchen on the floor, 
or, if you’ll let me, I’ll make me a cot.” 

Matthias went to work with great energy, 
and ’Lias reported to Father White. 

“ I can’t go to school this term, Father ; 
it’s only six weeks longer anyway, and my 
work is hurrying me.” 

4 4 Now, ’Lias, it’s those £ figures ’ that are 
troubling you ; own up, now,” cried the 
priest, laughing. 

’Lias looked confused. 

“ Not exactly, Father. I do dread arith- 
metic, but I have got so much work on 
hand.” 


108 'Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 

“ Let me see,” murmured Father White ; 
“ I have some spare time in the afternoons. 
Suppose, now, you come up an hour or so 
and study arithmetic under me.” 

’Lias looked undecided. 

“ It would be the best for you. Then 
when school begins you could start in feel- 
ing more confident.” 

“ I will come, Father, but I must pay 
for it some way.” 

“ There’s my flowers to be cared for and 
my kitchen garden to see to. Don’t think 
but I’ll make you pay for it,” laughed 
Father White. 

Going home, he met the school -children re- 
turning home for dinner. 

’Lias was in the rough, clay-soiled shoes 
and clothes he had worn in the country. 
He did not know it, but his face held a 
new strength that had never been there be- 
fore ; his eyes looked a deeper blue, his face 


’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 109 

was tanned, and much of the surplus fat he 
hated had disappeared. He walked rapidly 
and held himself erect. He looked very 
different from lazy ’Lias, the joke of the 
school. 

He looked for the neat apron and straw 
hat that were so familiar to him. Presently 
he found them and Jennie walking demure- 
ly by Pauly Yenty. 

Now Pauly was the pink of neatness. 
His shoes were always polished to a glitter- 
ing degree, his white duck suit immaculate- 
ly clean, and his tie arranged to perfection. 
He had an aunt in the city who sent him his 
clothes, and Miss Blethins was a cousin. 

How elegant he looks, thought ’Lias, his 
heart growing cold. The new blue-gray 
golf cap that Pauly wore set off his clear, 
dark complexion and his handsome eyes. 

’Lias had intended to say a word or so 
to Jennie, but she raised her eyebrows just 


110 'Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream . 

the least bit when she looked at him, and 
Venty’s eyes went over his attire with con- 
temptuous coolness. 

’Lias raised his hat and passed quickly. 

Jennie said faintly, “ Howdy, ’Lias ?” and 
Pauly said nothing at all. 

That closed in the day for ’Lias. There 
was no brightness anywhere. He hated the 
idea of the potato -field, and the stubborn, 
ever-present question of “ What is your duty 
to-day ?” 

He wanted to creep away, to lie down 
and sleep always. 

He came home with heavy, dragging feet. 
The Swede had much to tell him, but ’Lias 
would not listen. He went in by the kitchen 
stove and hung over its warmth as if he was 
very cold. 

“ You’re havin’ an ague chill, I’ll vow,” 
exclaimed Mrs. Leveve. “ That comes of 
that trip out in the country.” 


’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. Ill 

“ I guess I’ll get around,” murmured 
’Lias drearily. 

“ I’ve got something you’ll like for din- 
ner. I’ve opened a jar of the sweet pickles, 
the gherkins you always liked, you know.” 

“I don’t want any dinner,” ’Lias an- 
swered. 

He would not eat anything, but curled 
up on the Swede’s cot, and finally fell into 
an uneasy sleep, almost as languorous as 
that produced by drugs. 

Here his old tormentor found him, and 
came jumping over the milking-stool to the 
side of the cot. True enough ’Lias had been 
thinking of him just before sleep overtook 
him, wishing there could be such things as 
fairies and fairy queens. He would have 
something then to outshine Pauly Venty. 

Then Jack came and said : “ Now hain’t 
that foolish, cryin’ about a mite of a girl 
like her. Dear, dear! There’s tastes and 


112 ’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 

tastes in this world. But I’ll tell you some- 
thing that will cheer you up. Venty is un- 
der suspicion in our realm. The queen sus- 
pects him of drowning cats and other serh 
ous misdemeanors. Besides, he ridicules 
“ Mother Goose’s Melodies,’’ which is our 
book of by-laws. There’s trouble ahead for 
him, I have no doubt.” 

“ I don’t like Venty,” confided ’Lias. 

“ Everybody knows it,” exclaimed Jack- 
be-Nimble frankly. “ But you try to meet 
him pleasantly ; a little more air about your- 
self, can’t you? And can’t you rub these 
shoes clean ?” 

’Lias thought he could, and commenced at 
once, and Jack tried jumping over the 
squares in the kitchen carpet, singing : 

“ When I was a little boy 
My mother kept me in ; 

Now I am a great boy, 

And fit to serve the king,” 


’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 113 

until ’Lias had finished his task, when Jack 
asked suddenly : 

“ You’re digging up an old pleasure-ground 
of ours, but I suppose you know why ?” 

6 4 I’m taking your advice of ‘ dig and 
delve.’ ” 

“ You’ll profit by it, too.” 

u I don’t care whether I do or not,” grum- 
bled ’Lias. 

“ Dear me!” exclaimed Jack, jumping 
backwards. 

“ Crosspatch, 

Draw the latch, 

Sit by the fire and spin. 

Take a cup, 

And drink it up, 

And call the neighbors in.” 

’Lias was about to jump up and throw 
something at Jack's head, when his mother 
shook him, and said : 

“ You’ve slept so long and heavy, I’m 
afraid you’re going into a fever of some 


114 ’Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 

sort. Jennie’s been here and left you some- 
thing, and she and Marilly’s huntin’ birds’ 
nests in the peach-trees.” 

’Lias sprang up joyously. “ Why, I must 
have slept three hours. Did Jennie see me \ 
I’m glad she didn’t. I felt so stupid and 
lazy this afternoon. I guess it came from 
losing so much sleep while I was at Blau- 
det’s.” 

He scrubbed his face briskly, and laughed 
as he glossed his shoes, remembering Jack- 
be-Nimble. Then he slipped on his Sunday 
clothes and ran out after the girls. 

He could not see them anywhere, although 
he went laughing about, peering into the 
blooming boughs and crying gayly, “ You 
might as well give up, I’ll find you.” But 
there was no answer, and all the orchard 
seemed strangely silent, save for the hum of 
the bees among the pink blossoms. 

“ I dare say she’s gone home,” he thought, 


’Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream . 115 

feeling he had missed a rare afternoon, for 
Jennie’s visits were events to Marilly and 
5 Lias. 

Then he heard a faint cry, so far away he 
could not be sure, but it sounded like Maril- 
ly’ s voice. 

“ Marilly ! Marilly !” he shouted loudly, 
and stopped to listen. 

He heard another cry, and it came from 
towards the creek. He ran through the lot 
calling to Matthias, who was at work in the 
ploughed ground : 

“ Did the girls pass here V ’ 

“ They went down to the pussy willows,” 
answered the Swede carelessly. 

u Come along!” cried ’Lias. “ Some- 
thing’s happened. I’ll bet they’re at the 
Deep Pond.” 

Matthias became all action at once. His 
great strides took him over the ground rap- 
idly, and the boy heard his exclamation of 


116 ' Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream . 

horror just as he reached the fringe of wil- 
lows. The next instant he saw Matthias lift- 
ing Jennie out of the water, where she sobbed 
and shook with fear. 

4 4 Where’s Marilly?” gasped ’Lias, his 
face turning white. 

The Swede was taking off his coat and 
shoes. His face was calm and solemn. 

44 Don’t !” he said firmly, seeing the hor- 
ror in ’Lias’ eyes ; 44 1 will find her.” 

’Lias looked at Jennie. 

44 Where did she fall in ?” 

44 Out of the bent willow,” sobbed the girl. 

Like a flash the boy slipped into the water, 
but he was no match for Matthias, although 
he could swim and dive. 

The third dive Matthias made he came up 
with the cold, seemingly lifeless little body. 

44 Life yet, life yet!” he called to ’Lias. 
“ Run and nave the doctor at the house.” 

’Lias took one look at the freckled little 


’lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 11? 

face he had found so aggravating many, 
many a time, and kissed it solemnly, then 
sped away. 

“ Come, and walk fast,” said the Swede 
to Jennie as he carried Marilly to the house. 

In the face of real danger Mrs. Leveve had 
retained her presence of mind. Also she 
had been called upon to bring back to life sev- 
eral persons supposed to be drowned before 
to-day. By the time the doctor came Marilly 
was gazing unseeingly about, and Jennie 
was dry and warm. 

“ Marilly ! Marilly !” said ’Lias coax- 
ingly, putting his hot cheek against the cold 
little hand. 

But she did not seem to know him, and 
the doctor shook his head. 

“ She’s had a severe shock,” he said. 

’Lias would not leave her until she said, 
after a long time, “ Mother, what makes 
’Lias cry?” Then he fell to laughing so 


118 'Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 

immoderately that his mother reproved 
him. 

He went to the safe and hunted out the 
cup in which he hoarded his money, then he 
slipped out the back door. 

He came back breathlessly. 

“ Who is it likes chocolate drops ?” he 
whispered, leaning over Marilly. 

“ Me,” she said, “I think.” ’Lias poured 
the rich, brown lumps into her lap. 

“ Now I’ve got something for Jennie.” 

He looked gravely at Jennie as he handed 
her a parcel and said : 

“ I’m not Pauly, but you will take this, 
won’t you ?” 

“ Oh, ’Lias,” murmured Jennie, “ I came 
over to tell you something about Pauly. 
They’re going to play a trick on you. When 
you plant your potatoes they’ re going to open 
Squire Black’s pen and let the hogs out in 
your lot. You know it opens on your field. ” 


'Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 11!> 

“ They V' asked ’Lias. “ Who else beside 
Pauly f” 

Jennie’s face flushed. 

“ A lot of the boys,” she answered ; and 
then slowly, “ Dupe is in it. Don’t you 
tell, ’Lias — don’t you tell that I said so.” 

“ You may be sure I’ll not tell, Jennie ; 
but thanks to you, I can guard the lot now.” 

The news spread rapidly about Jennie and 
Marilly, and Mrs. Leveve was busy almost 
all the evening answering questions and 
going over details— now enlarged or now 
contracted, as the good woman’s powers of 
fancy and speech dictated. 

But all agreed that Matthias was a hero 
and a direct dispensation of Providence. 

The next day Matthias and ’ Lias planted 
potatoes until noon. Then the Swede worked 
alone in the afternoon, and ’Lias kept his 
appointment with Father White. 

When he left an hour later he had gained 


120 ’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 

the first clear understanding he had ever 
known of fractions, a division of mathematics 
he considered especially useless and super- 
fluous. Then he had seen Father White’s 
herbarium. A wonderful thing to ’Lias. 
The priest went over it carefully, telling 
the history of a leaf he plucked near the 
grave of Robert Burns, or a bit of Eidel weiss 
and a little picture of the Alps pasted above. 
The boy felt how grand the priest’s soul 
must be to give up the world to live in such 
a dreary place as Millville. 

Father White read something of the won- 
der in the boy’s face. 

“ Here are my ferns — ferns from every- 
where, but I can tell you I’ve found some of 
my finest ferns right here around Millville. 
See that, and that, and this.” 

’Lias said he had never seen them, and 
the priest smiled. 

“ Because you have never observed, but 


’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 121 

you are beginning to see ; then you will 
know what a storehouse Nature is, how lav- 
ish and yet how prudent of her behests. 
No churl can gather her treasures.” 

’Lias went home with several new ideas, 
and he sat down by Marilly to talk about 
them. 

“We will make us a book, Marilly, and 
see how many specimens we can find. W on’ t 
you like it ?” 

“ I know where some of the loveliest ferns 
are !” exclaimed his sister. 

It struck ’Lias unpleasantly again that 
Marilly seemed to have read and noticed so 
much more than he had. 

“ I wish I had not idled so much of my 
time away,” he said. 

“You’re making up for lost time now,” 
laughed Marilly. 

“ And I’ll never fall into sloth again.” 

“ Jennie says all the folks are saying that 


122 ’ Lias Finds Life a Dreary Dream. 

you’re a real business boy. Mother is as 
proud as anything could be.” 

’Lias remembered something he must tell 
Matthias, and went out into the kitchen. 

“ We will have to watch that lot to-night ; 
some of my school friends are going to turn 
in hogs upon it.” 

“ Eh ?” exclaimed the Swede. 

“We will watch for them until ten or 
twelve o’clock ; they won’t come after that 
time,” said ’Lias. 

“Well,” nodded the Swede, “ I will sur- 
prise them.’ ’ 


The Boys Fall into a Trap. 


123 


CHAPTER VII. 

THE BOYS FALL INTO A TRAP. 

Squire Black was a very taciturn, proud 
old man, who knew little of his neighbors 
and cared less for them. He refused to see 
visitors, and pottered about his house and 
work alone and silent. His wife had been 
dead for years, and a daughter had run away 
with a farm-hand some forty years ago, leav- 
ing the house as silent as the squire was. 
He had his whole mind and soul given to the 
girl, and those who remembered her said she 
was a perfect beauty, and that the money the 
old man gave her to dress with was some- 
thing to be talked of. 

But he was too careful to keep her from 
the associations of the village, and a hand- 


124 The Boys Fall into a Trap. 

some young farm-hand won her heart easily. 
The old man refused to have them about him, 
and the young fellow took up the cares of 
life with a stout heart, saying he had health, 
and he didn’t want Squire Black’s money. 
Then the wonderful Black Hills and their 
marvels of gold reached the remote village, 
and the young couple enthusiastically took 
up their household goods and trundled over 
the wild trail to the West. 

Faint and uncertain news came of them 
now and then ; that there was a little girl 
born, then that the husband was dead, but 
no one knew for sure. 

This was the man, Squire Black, whom all 
the town boys hated and feared, that owned 
the hogs in the pen back of ’Lias’ lot. 

“I’m going over to see Squire Black a 
minute,” said the Swede. 

“ He won’t see you,” answered ’Lias. 

Matthias knocked at the door, and then 


The Boys Fall into a Trap. 125 

discovering a rusty bell-knob, lie rang it vig- 
orously. 

The door opened a little, and a tall, lean 
old woman said : 

“ What’s your business ?” 

“ I want to see Squire Black.” 

“ He’s busy,” she answered, closing the 
door. 

The Swede put his foot against the door. 

“ It’s about his hogs — it’s real business. 
I’ve got to see him. Tell him so.” 

The old woman went down the hall grum- 
bling, and Matthias stepped inside. 

He was astonished to see how richly the 
hall was furnished, although everything was 
faded and dusty. 

“ Step in here,” said the old woman, com- 
ing back through the hall and shaking a 
door opposite him. 

Finally it opened on whining hinges, and 
then the curtains were parted, the windows 


126 The Boys Fall into a Trap. 

raised and shutters opened, the woman grum- 
bling all the time about the trouble. 

Matthias looked about him, and he seemed 
much surprised over two portraits on the 
wall. One was of a young man, the other 
of a girl about ten years old. They were 
much alike. 

“ They look like these pictures, I’ll swear, 
save these eyes are blue. ” 

Just then Squire Black came in much wor- 
ried. 

“ Why can’t you people let me alone, espe- 
cially this late V' he asked fretfully. 

“ It’s your hogs, sir,” said Matthias re- 
spectfully. “ A little boy across here is try- 
ing to get in some potatoes for sale in the 
fall. His schoolmates have made a jest of 
it, and are going to turn your hogs into his 
patch to-night by opening a place in the 
back of the pen.” The squire’s eyes 
blazed. 


The Boys Fall into a Trap, 127 

“ They’re always meddling — always. 
Can’t let me alone, although I don’t even 
buy my clothes here.” 

“ What awful eyes !” thought Matthias. 

“ Boys are useless things— devices of the 
Evil One, anyway.” 

“’Lias is not,” said the Swede stoutly. 
“ The boy I’m helping, he works early and 
late, and troubles no one.” 

“I have noticed him now and then,” 
amended the old man. 

“ I want you to help me about those 
boys,” continued Matthias. “They’re all 
afraid of you, and maybe you could think 
up a plan.” 

“ I ain’t used to staying up late,” objected 
the squire. 

“ They are your hogs,” answered Mat- 
thias firmly. 

A slow, cruel smile lit up the old man’s 
face. 


128 The Boys Fall into a Trap. 

“ There’s my dog, the worst one in the 
State,” he said. 

The old man was eager now to see the boys 
canght, and leading out the dog, he had the 
Swede to make friends with him. 

“ 1 have no strength to hold him in leash, 
and yon can do that. He’d kill them else.” 

They concealed themselves in some shrubs 
near the pen, the squire wrapped in a huge 
coat and grumbling. 

They did not wait long until several shad- 
owy forms came, sometimes erect, sometimes 
stooping over the ploughed ground. A 
long, low whistle told that ’Lias was on 
hand, back of the field. 

The Swede was about to loose the dog’s 
rope, but the old man put his hand out warn- 
ingly. A slender form dropped over the 
fence, and the squire put his hand on the 
bristling dog to keep him quiet. 

“ Come back, Pauly,” whispered a voice. 


The Boys Fall into a Trap. 129 

“ I want to look around here a bit before 
we let the hogs out. Come on,” answered 
the boy almost aloud. 

One by one six boys came silently over the 
fence to his side. 

“ There’s a strawberry patch here some- 
where ; I’m going to find it.” 

Just then there came an ominous growl, 
and the dog leaped out. The Swede fol- 
lowed, and the squire called harshly : 

“ In an honest man’s yard again, are you ? 
But how will you get out V ’ 

Behind them were the dog, Matthias, and 
the squire. To the right and left were the 
thick, overgrown shrubberies, impossible to 
penetrate ; in front the brick wall and its 
locked gate. 

Two or three of the boys were crying now, 
and Pauly Venty was shaking with fear. 

“ We didn’t mean to do any harm,” he 
muttered. 


13 0 The Boys Fall into a Trap . 

“ Not to me,” said Squire Black ; 44 but 
how about that potato field V ’ 

44 1 told you we’d be found out, Pauly,” 
sobbed one of the smallest boys. 

44 Shut your mouth, Dupe !” exclaimed 
Pauly. 

4 4 Just remember, boys, whenever you want 
to visit me, that Watch here will be glad to 
see you. Now move on this way,” and he 
led them towards the house. 

The boys did not want to enter the house, 
but the dog was behind them, and they saw 
no other chance. They were marched sol- 
emnly through the hall, out of the front 
door, and so to the street. 

44 Now, good-night, boys ; call earlier next 
time. I’ll take my dog now, sir, and can I 
see you in the morning ?” 

Matthias was glad to be invited, and said 
so. 

44 It’s about that boy. There must be 


The Boys Fall into a Trap . 131 

something in him if all his neighbors are 
against him. ” 

’Lias was out in the ploughed ground as 
the Swede came back. 

“ I heard the dog,” he said. “ I was 
afraid some one would be hurt.” 

“ No ; just half scared to death,” laughed 
Matthias. 

“ Lid you see Squire Black 2” 

“ Certainly.” Matthias went on enthusi- 
astically to describe his visit and its results. 

’Lias laughed loudly at the boys being 
caught so neatly, and said : 

“ They won’t try that any more.” 

“ That Pauly, as you call him, is a pretty 
cool fellow. I guess he’s used to being in 
trouble.” 

“ He is a fighter,” answered ’Lias. “I 
don’t know much else about him.” 

“ Well, our case is safe ; that’s enough 
for us.” 


132 The Boys Fall into a Trap. 

The next morning ’ Lias went over the field, 
glad to know the planting was over, and 
hoping there wonld be a good crop. 

“ You’re out early,” said a gruff voice. 

’Lias looked around hastily. He had 
never had a good look at Squire Black, but 
he was certain that this man could be no 
other. 

“ Yes, sir,” he stammered. 

“ Ho you like to work V ’ 

“ No, sir,” blundered ’Lias. 

Squire Black laughed derisively. 

“ You speak the truth about that, I dare 
say.” 

He went his way muttering, and ’ Lias was 
left with his ears burning to think how silly 
he had talked. 

Sometimes he felt so weary of striving to 
do right, when it was so much easier to do 
wrong. How he would like to try to whip 
Pauly Yenty ! But, then, what would Father 


The Boys Fall into a Trap. 133 

White say and his mother % They had told 
him how to suffer and be patient. 

Then there were these potatoes. How he 
wished he could say, “ I am not going to 
touch them.” The work seemed never- 
ending. 

Matthias was talking now of having to 
crush the clods, and later on of hoeing three 
times and ploughing twice. Tiresome work ! 

And mother and Marilly, why did they 
depend so much upon him ? There was Star 
to bring from the pasture, the wood to carry, 
and the yard to keep clean, besides his other 
work at Father White’s. 

“ I don’t want to be good,” he cried at 
last, “ it’s too much trouble.” 

Then these thoughts would give place to 
reflections of a better nature, and presently 
he would be whistling cheerily. 

One night in June ’Lias sat on the old 
door-step, where he had dreamed so many 


134 


The Boys Fall into a Trap. 


days away ; his thoughts were dreamy 
now, but of work to do and lessons to con- 
quer. 

Matthias, who had stayed on until he 
seemed a fixture, came and put his hand 
upon his arm. 

“ I want to talk to you a minute,” he said. 

They walked down the street until out of 
hearing, and the Swede asked : 

“ Do you remember that boy and girl at 
Blaudet’s ?” 

“ I remember the boy ; I never more than 
glanced at his sister,” returned ’Lias. 

“ They’ve run away.” 

“ I’m glad of it,” answered the boy fer- 
vently. 

’Lias looked about at the Swede, and com- 
menced to tell him of the kicking he saw the 
boy get from Blaudet. 

The Swede interrupted him excitedly : 

“ But they’re here. I hid them in the 


The Boys Fall into a Trap. 135 

barn. They’re afraid, too, that old Blandet 
is after them.” 

“ He won’t think of coming here.” 

“ Yes, but he will ; he noticed you speak- 
ing to that boy, and that you pitied him.” 

“ How can we manage ?” cried ’Lias. 

“ You know what I think ? This I believe, 
that these children are akin to Squire Black. 
They look as like as peas, those pictures in 
the hall and those children. One day when 
we were oxit at Blaudet’s the boy was clean- 
ing up his trunk, and he showed me an old 
portrait. ‘That’s my grandmother,’ he 
said. ‘ She was rich, but her father didn’t 
like the way she married, and she went away 
and never came back. She is dead, and my 
grandfather, too.’ ” 

Matthias went on to tell what he had 
learned from the boy. 

“ Blaudet is not his father. He died, and 
they were homeless, when, for the sake of 


136 The Boys Fall into a Trap. 

her children, the mother married Blaudet. 
He abused her until she died in about a year 
after.” 

“ Does he know where these relatives 
lived?” asked ’Lias. 

“ I asked him that, but he did not know ; 
said his mother had some letters, but they 
were in Blaudet’ s desk, and he could never 
get at them. He remembers, though, to have 
heard her speak of her mother as being 
often in St. Louis.” 

’Lias started. “ I suppose she would be 
if she was Squire Black’s daughter.” 

“I am going to dare the old man’s dis- 
pleasure, and go there now to tell him all I 
suspect, and call on him in the name of 
charity to protect them. He wanted to help 
you, and you were too proud ; he can extend 
his charity to them. Don’t you go to sleep 
until I come back.” 

“ I’m too excited,” answered the boy. 


The Boys Fall into a Trap. 137 

The Swede stayed so long that ’Lias almost 
despaired of him ever coming out, but finally 
he came quickly down the loose-planked old 
sidewalk. 

“ Be quick !” he cried to ’Lias. “ Bring 
them before he changes his mind.” 

They ran together to the little barn and 
called the frightened refugees. 

“ How I wish you had the letters belong- 
ing to your mother and grandmother !” ex- 
claimed the Swede regretfully. 

“ I have them,’ ’ answered the girl. “ They 
were ours, but I had to steal them.” 

Matthias was overjoyed, and said if he was 
not fearfully mistaken these letters would 
establish their claims, or the claims he had 
made for them. 

“ That night I was there and saw the pic- 
tures, I said that old man was akin to you ; 
and when I heard all about him I toiew it 
was the truth, only the legal proof was ab- 


138 The Boys Fall into a Trap. 

sent. Now we will let him see these letters 
and papers for himself.” 

When they reached the squire’s home the 
old gentleman was standing under a lamp in 
the hall, frowning and unbending, but ’Lias 
could tell that he was much agitated. 

The boy went in first, slender and erect, 
the dark eyes still pathetic and harassed ; 
his face haggard and white, while his clothes 
w r ere ragged and soiled. 

His eyes met the old man’s unflinchingly. 
He had no idea why the Swede had brought 
him there, beyond the question of shelter 
and protection. 

The squire started, and his hand shook. 

“ What do you call yourselH” he asked 
the boy harshly. 

“Valentine Oliver,” answered the boy 
firmly. 

The old man uttered an exclamation. The 
girl, who had stayed back near the Swede, 


Tiie Boys Fall into a Trap. 139 

came forward slowly into the light. Her 
dark eyes were so like her brother’s, and the 
curls falling over her thin white cheeks were 
only a little more girlish than his. 

The squire seemed as if he was about to 
move towards her, then he said : 

“ And who are you ?” 

“ I was named for my grandmother, 
sir, Olivia Black, and my last name is 
Oliver.” 

“You know it all, and you have left me 
doubting !” cried the squire, turning towards 
Matthias. 

“ I never even knew their names in full,” 
said he solemnly, raising his hands. 

Matthias spoke to the girl, and she gave 
him a small bundle of papers from out the 
folds of her dress. 

’Lias stood inside the door, awkwardly 
shifting his hat from hand to hand. 

Val looked at him. “ It was ’Lias that 


140 The Boys Fall into a Trap. 

gave me courage to run away and take my 
sister with me. He is younger than I am, 
but he was not afraid of Blaudet, and he was 
working for himself. When he asked me 
why I did not run away, the question stayed 
with me until I made up my mind to come 
here to his mother’s and bring my sister. 
It was for her that I was afraid. Blaudet 
whipped her yesterday with the buggy 
whip.” 

The boyjs eyes were blazing with horror 
and anger, but the girl had put her hands 
over her eyes, and the tears were dropping 
between the slender fingers. 

The squire drew himself up, and his eyes 
w r ere like the boy’s, dark and angry. 

“ I will show him no mercy ; I’ll ” 

He stopped quickly, as if he were afraid to 
say more. 

The Swede gave him the letters. 

“ Here are letters belonging to their mother 


The Boys Fall into a Trap, 141 

and grandmother. I hope they will prove 
just what I expect them to be.” 

The old man took them into a large old- 
fashioned room. The aged woman whom 
Matthias had seen before was in a high- 
backed chair near the window. She looked 
about fretfully as the group entered, but 
when her gaze fell on Olivia she came stiffly 
to her feet and cried : 

“ Who is that, Mr. Val ?” 

Something like a smile came across the old 
squire’s face. “ We will know presently ; 
we will see. ” 

He unfolded letter after letter, sometimes 
frowning, but showing no sign that could 
give ’Lias or the Swede hope. 

Yal and his sister had sunk down in the 
soft seats provided for them by the old man, 
and they sighed contentedly as they looked 
about the room. 

Suddenly the old squire came to his feet, 


142 The Boys Fall into a Trap. 

with his right hand clutching a yellowed 
letter. He shook it against the old woman’s 
face. 

“ This letter was written by my daughter, 
d’ye hear ? — my daughter Olivia.” 

The woman looked startled, but she said : 
“ You’re a long-lived race.” 

He took Yal in his left arm and 
said : 

“ I’m no hypocrite ; but my blood is my 
blood. Let him interfere who dares.” He 
kissed the children solemnly. “ You are 
my daughter’s daughter’s children, I am con- 
vinced, and this is your home.” 

They could not understand at all, they 
were so astonished and perplexed ; but their 
great-grandfather insisted on taking a light 
and having them go into the room where the 
pictures were. 

Yal and Olivia stood under the pictures 
with curious eyes. 


The Boys Fall into a Trap . 143 

“That little girl looks like yon, Ollie,” 
Val said to his sister. 

“And her name was Olivia Black,” said 
the squire in a low voice — “ your grand- 
mother. ’ ’ 

“ And that man looks like you will after 
awhile,” said the Swede to Yal as they 
looked at the portrait beside the little girl. 

“ And that represents me, Valentine 
Black,” went on the squire in the same low 
voice. “ I’m near eighty to-night, but I have 
never felt more that I had something to live 
for. What can I do for you ?” He looked 
at ’Lias and the Swede. “You are too 
proud. I have tried this boy with money” 
— he put his hand kindly on ’Lias’ head— 
“ but I know something he needs that shall 
be his to-morrow. I will have a talk with 
you,” he said to Matthias. 

The two withdrew, leaving the squire to 
explain to the puzzled children, who did not 


144 The Boys Fall into a Trap . 

understand in the least what all the talk re- 
ferred to, and could not believe that they 
were safe in a home of their own. 

“ I’ve been galloping around all over the 
world,” said Matthias meditatively, “ but 
this is ahead of any romance I ever took 
part in. I feel like I was dreaming.” 

“ I have been dreaming of impossible hap- 
penings all my life,” laughed ’Lias; “ but 
here is a wilder dream right at my door. I 
wonder if I won’t wake up in the morning 
and find myself the governor of the State.” 

“ In good time, if you try, and like the 
business,” cried Matthias joyfully. “ Who 
could sleep to-night?” he said. “ My 
blood is all a tingle. ” 

He and the boy sat down on the door-step 
at home looking at the beautiful moon that 
was creeping up the eastern sky. 

The Swede put his head against the door 
and sang some old songs he had learned at 


The Boys Fall into a Trap. 145 

home. His voice was a clear tenor, and the 
songs were very pathetic. 

’Lias sighed audibly. Matthias stopped 
and touched the boy’s shoulder. 

“ What is it ?” he asked. 

’Lias put his head down on the kind arm. 
“ I wish I could be something,” he said, sob- 
bing — u something besides a stupid clod.” 
Matthias drew him closer. 

“ I have dreamed that, too,” he said, his 
face brilliant, “ and prayed for it, and what 
am I ? A wanderer, a dreamer, and middle- 
aged.” 


146 


’Lias Leaves Home y for School . 


CHAPTER VIII. 

’lias leaves home, for school. 

The Swede was sent for early next morn- 
ing to come to Squire Black’s. 

In a little while he was on the way back 
to ’Lias with a present for him of two good 
farm horses, fitted with neat new harness. 

“ I don’t like to take them. I haven’t de- 
served them, and how can I thank him, any- 
way ?” said ’Lias. 

Matthias frowned. “ He will be worse than 
mad if I have to lead them home to him.” 

Finally they were put in the stable, and 
’Lias felt quite proud of his team. 

Great was the excitement in the village 
when the fact was made public that Squire 
Black’s children were of his own blood. 


’ Lias Leaves Home , for School. 147 

Blaudet made a great to do, but when he 
knew all, he was so amazed that he could 
not think of any immediate way to outwit 
the squire ; and when he was shown the 
statement of Yaland Olivia concerning his 
cruel treatment, he was much alarmed, and 
wished to make a compromise of some sort. 

As for Yal and Olivia, they could not re- 
alize how completely their lives were changed. 
They came over in the evenings to visit ’ Lias 
and Marilly, but they did not know how to 
play any games. 

The squire liked ’ Lias to come over to the 
old house, and often asked him what he in- 
tended to make of himself. 

“ I don’t know, sir. I have dreamed of 
being something beside a mere stupid creat- 
ure like I have been, but I’m so slow to 
learn anything.” 

“ Never dream,” exclaimed thesquire ; “ de- 
termine to do, and ways will open for you.” 


148 


’ Lias Leaves Home, for School. 


This was another new idea for ’Lias, and 
he acted upon it at once by asking Father 
White if there was any chance for him in 
arithmetic. 

“ Of course,” answered the priest. “ You 
don’t know how much progress you have 
made. You will be surprised when school 
begins to find how much you understand.” 

“ I hope I’ll be up with Pauly Venty,” 
said ’Lias, more to himself than to Father 
White. 

The priest smiled a little. “ That’s a very 
natural wish, I know, but is it the incentive 
for preparing for examination ? I must not 
be disappointed in my summer pupil. I’ve 
been furbishing up my rusted mathematical 
gifts all these days because of you.” 

“ It’s awfully good of you, Father,” an- 
swered ’Lias gratefully. 

“ And whenever I see the nice lettuce and 
other salads served upon my table, and know 


’Lias Leaves Home , for School . 149 

you’ve cared for them, I think it’s ‘ awfully 
good of you, ’ ” answered he, laughing. 

The Swede Matthias now proposed to Mrs. 
Leveve and ’Lias to plough up all the little 
land that belonged to her, about five acres in 
all, and plant clover to sell seed and hay from. 

“ Squire Black offers me ten acres to take 
on shares next year. If you can let me stay 
here, I can make enough at odd jobs to keep 
up a share in the provisions, and I will help 
here, too, while ’Lias is at school.” 

Mrs. Leveve agreed to this plan with pleas- 
ure. Matthias had made himself a necessity 
in the little home. 

When school opened ’Lias was on hand 
early. 

He was very much changed, and one or 
two of the boys pretended not to know him. 
He was taller and thinner ; his eyes had lost 
their sleepy look. 

He had used some of his money to buy 


150 


\ Lias Leaves Home, for School. 


a neat school suit. With a trim cadet 
cap and polished shoes he looked even bet- 
ter than Pauly Venty. Jennie was openly 
proud of him, and Dupe, her brother, at- 
tached himself to ’Lias with many expres- 
sions of friendship. 

‘•'You’re awful sure that ’Lias is some,” 
sneered Pauly to Jennie. “ Just wait ; any- 
body can dig potatoes or feed a horse.” 

Jennie felt anxious ; she remembered how 
very dull ’Lias was. 

When the bell rang and the children filed 
in ’Lias came in and bowed respectfully to 
Miss Ble thins, the teacher. 

She commenced an examination at once to 
grade her classes. 

When the class was called in which Pauly 
Venty had ruled as of superior intelligence, 
’Lias walked up, inwardly nervous, but out- 
wardly calm. 

“You’ve made a mistake, Leveve,” said 


’ Lias Leaves Home, for School. 151 

Miss Bletliins courteously. “ You're in the 
second class.” 

“ I would like to try to pass the examina- 
tion for this class, if you please.” ’Lias 
spoke firmly, but his face was very red. 

Miss Blethins looked surprised, and Pauly 
Yenty, with several of his followers, pretend- 
ed to see something very funny in ’Lias’ pro- 
posal, giggling and mouthing immoderately. 

Pauly Yenty was called to the board first, 
and then others were sent up. In an under- 
tone the teacher commenced with ’Lias. 

His readiness in replying and his accuracy 
pleased Miss Blethins. She gave him three 
of the most difficult problems to solve. 

He went to the board confidently ; his 
place being next to Pauly Yenty, that being 
the only one vacant. 

Pauly tried to trouble him every way. 

“ That’s wrong,” he whispered. “ You’re 
copying off mine.” 


152 ’ Lias Leaves Home , for School. 

’Lias faced about, trembling. “ Miss Bleth- 
ins, may I change places with Dupe La- 
velle ?” 

The teacher looked sharply at Pauly, and 
’ Lias was allowed to go. 

“ Best two out of three, Leveve,” said Miss 
Blethins pleasantly. 

Pauly Yenty made a flourish around his 
examples, and came to the recitation bench. 

His teacher looked over his work care- 
fully. Pauly’s eyes flashed when he saw 
the red chalk cross opposite each of the 
three, signifying that they were wrong. 

As the pupils took their seats the red chalk 
was busy marking errors, until only six were 
left to continue in the advanced class. One 
of the six was ’Lias Leveve. 

Miss Blethins expressed her surprise and 
pleasure. 

“ You have surely been studying through 
the vacation V ’ she said inquiringly. 


’ Lias Leaves Home , for School. 153 

“ Yes, Miss Bletliins ; I have been studying 
under Father White.” 

“ I wish some of the other boys had fol- 
lowed your example,” she said. 

Several of the boys were very angry, and 
said many aggravating and annoying things 
in ’Lias’ hearing. 

“ You’d better hush, he’ll light,” cau- 
tioned little Jack Hahn. 

This was greeted with a loud laugh. The 
idea of ’Lias in a fight was new to them. 
The boy tried his best to keep up his studies 
and make friends with all the boys. 

Sometimes he would fail utterly, then 
again he would be far ahead in all his classes. 

The squire, whose contempt for the village 
people would not let him associate with them 
or allow Yal and Olivia to do so, made an 
exception of ’ Lias and Marilly. This made 
the gossips more talkative and the dissatis- 
fied ones more surly. 


154 ’ Lias Leaves Home, for School . 

These ills and many more did ’Lias con- 
fide to Father White— his only relief. Wisely 
the priest counselled, and faithfully the boy 
tried to keep his teachings. 

The potatoes turned out so well under the 
Swede’s careful management, that ’Lias 
cleared thirty dollars, even paying Matthias 
a reasonable wage fee. 

After buying an overcoat and a pair of 
gloves, he gave the money to his mother, 
who proudly acknowledged how much help 
he had been to her for several months. 

After school closed the next year Father 
White disturbed Mrs. Leveve’s serenity of 
mind by saying that ’Lias must be put into 
a more thorough school. 

“There’s a fine school in Lebonne,” he 
continued. “A cousin of mine is parish 
priest there, and ’ Lias could stay with him. 
I’ve already asked him about it.” 

“It isn’t worth while,” complained Mrs. 


’ Lias Leaves Home, for School. 155 

Leveve ; “’Lias never took to school- 
in’.” 

“ Because he was overfed, untrained, and 
never aroused until last spring,” urged the 
priest. 

“ I will talk to him,” she said doubtfully. 
“ I won’t consent just yet.” 

Father White smiled ; he knew how easily 
’Lias managed to argue away his mother’s 
objection to any plan he liked. 

When ’Lias was told of it, “I am four- 
teen,” he mused. “ There is little time left 
for me to prepare myself, so I will go. I 
want to see Squire Black first, though.” 

One pleasant afternoon he told the squire 
of the course marked out for him. 

“ A good idea !” exclaimed the old man. 
“ I will have Yal go with you. He must be 
in school. Will you like that f 

“ Yes, sir /” cried the two boys. 

“ But it looks selfish in me to leave Marilly 


156 ' Lias Leaves Home, for School 

and mother all alone ; besides, my sister is 
just crazy to take lessons in music.” 

“ I will see they don’t suffer,” the old 
man said earnestly. “ Your sister and Olivia 
can study music together, for I have already 
engaged a teacher from Clinton to take 
charge of her. I shall be more than glad to 
have your sister come here.” 

One day, the first of the following Septem- 
ber, ’Lias kissed his mother and sister good- 
by, and started for Lebonne. 

Father White and Matthias went with him 
to the nearest railroad station. The priest 
was in the very best of spirits. 

“ Now be a good boy,” he admonished ; 
“ and remember, I expect you to make a 
great man of yourself. Come back to your 
native town and legislate a continuance of 
this railway to Millville.” 

There was a general laugh, and ’Lias and 
Yal were off. 


’ Lias Leaves Home, for School . 


157 


There was no doubt now of the boy’s ear- 
nestness. He studied and worked as he had 
never done. “ I never dream now,” he said 
to Yal one day. “ I used to have the queer- 
est dreams about old fairy characters ; you’d 
not believe me if I’d tell you.” 

Then there came a short and awful letter 
from Father White. ’Lias’ mother was dead 
of small-pox. It was supposed she con- 
tracted the terrible malady from some women 
who made the rounds of country towns with 
cheap wares. One of these had died in an 
old cabin near town, and the other was slowly 
recovering. 

“ This is all I can send you now. No 
communications will pass after to morrow. 
Your sister is with the Blacks and safe , as 
their house is isolated. I was with your 
mother at the last ; she died happy , leav- 
ing her love and blessing to her children 

A few wise words of help and counsel, then 


158 9 Lias Leaves Home, for School. 

the letter closed ; and not many weeks after 
the kind old priest cheerfully laid down his 
cross, to enter on his eternal reward. 

For weeks ’Lias seemed lifeless. He crept 
about seeing nothing, caring for nothing. 
Father Clarke tried to lead him towards the 
altar of the Mother of Sorrows, but there 
was no relief anywhere for him. 

The Lenten season was near its close, and 
preparations were made for a grand Easter cele- 
bration. It was something new to ’Lias, and 
he liked to watch the decorators at their 
work. 

He was to have been one of the acolytes, 
but Father Clarke felt his grief was too near 
vital, and so it happened that ’Lias sat back 
under the choir loft on Easter Sunday. He 
started abruptly when the great organ pealed 
forth its sounds of exultation, and when the 
choir sang the triumphant hymns of Christ 
risen, he sobbed aloud. 


* Lias Leaves Home , for School. 15i> 

It relieved him, and when he met Father 
Clarke in. the parlor after Mass, he looked 
more like himself. 

“ I’ve been very selfish, Father.” 

“ There, there,” said the priest. “ See 
how close suffering brings us to Our Lord !” 

“ I wanted so much to make something of 
myself, so mother could know. ” 

“ And will she not ? Think of her as 
seeing and rejoicing.” 

“ I had not remembered that,” murmured 
’Lias. 

“ Then there is your sister to care for and 
watch over. Think how poor her life is 
without you, and mourning for a mother, 
too.” 

“ I’ve been worse than selfish, Father,” 
cried ’Lias. 


160 


’Lias Visits Home Once More. 


CHAPTER IX. 

’lias visits home once more. 

When school closed ’Lias visited home. 
The house was closed, and everything looked 
desolate. Matthias slept in the house, and 
took his meals with the Blacks. The old 
man seemed to rely upon him more and 
more. 

’Lias sat down upon the old stone step, 
and Turk crept up to put his head upon his 
young master’s knee. 

“ We’re just a-dreaming, Turk. We will 
wake up and find mother and all waiting 
supper, just as they used to be. ” 

He broke down and cried bitterly, while 
Turk tried in vain to make him notice his 
game of fetch and carry. 


’ Lias Visits Home Once More. 


161 


“ I feel so unreal,” he said to Matthias ; 
“ I don’t feel at home.” 

“Have you seen Marilly?” asked the 
Swede. 

“No; I am going over now. I wanted to 
see home alone, so as to be used to not seeing 
mother here. ’ ’ His eyes grew dim with tears. 

“ You’ll think Marilly changed, ” said Mat- 
thias. “ She is two years older than you.” 

“So she is!” exclaimed ’Lias. “She 
must be seventeen.” 

He had left his sister a freckle-faced little 
girl in short dresses, but when she came 
down the steps to meet her brother, she was 
in a mourning dress that touched her toes. 

How tall and self-possessed she seemed ! 
Her fair face and blue eyes looked troubled, 
but she would not speak of their loss often. 

“ I can’t stay here always,” she said, in 
answer to ’Lias’ question of how they would 
better manage. “ And the squire says I 


162 


’ Lias Visits Home Once More. 


ought not to interfere with your career. 
Matthias took care of mother while she 
was sick. He had the small -pox once, and 
she made him promise to take care of me. 
In fact, we think— the squire thinks, we 
might better marry and settle down in the 
old house. I want to.” She drew a long 
breath. “ I never cared to leave it. With 
my music and all the old flowers, and — and 
Matthias, I can be happy again.’ ’ 

“ And what am I to do, alone and home- 
less V asked ’ Lias bitterly. 

His sister put her arm around his neck. 

“ Never alone,” she said softly, “ while 
Turk and I live. ” 

’Lias put his head against her shoulder 
and sobbed out all his fears and troubles. 

Marilly was practical and hopeful. She 
never dreamed. She comforted ’Lias as only 
one other could do, and that was* his mother. 

“ The home will be yours and mine,” she 


’Lias Visits Home Once More. 


163 


said. “ I will keep your room always for 
you.” 

’Lias talked it over the next day with the 
squire, who told him that he had satisfied 
himself that Matthias was an honorable and 
worthy man. 

Before ’Lias returned to school there was 
a quiet wedding at Squire Black’s, and Mat- 
thias and Marilly made their wedding journey 
by walking over to the old house and taking 
possession. They had a quiet supper, and 
Marilly and Olivia were quite merry, but 
’Lias felt sad and unreal, while Matthias 
understood him too well to feel hurt. 

The boy visited the house where Father 
White had lived. There was a new priest he 
knew, a kind, young-faced man, whom ’Lias 
liked. The priest took him about over the 
familiar garden and flower-beds. 

“ Father White left you a little gift ; you 
were to have it when you came.” 


164 'Lias Visits Home Once More. 

He handed the boy the herbarium and a 
few other books that Father White had 
prized. The boy took them silently, the 
tears dropping down upon the books. 

“ Father Downs, I’m so worried about my 
sister. She was married yesterday, but not 
by a priest. She and Matthias are both 
Catholics at heart ; they’re just careless. 
Yesterday I felt I ought not to say any- 
thing, but to-day I feel uneasy about it.” 

Father Downs nodded his head cheerfully. 

“ Father White said you were a very con- 
scientious boy. Rest about your sister ; I 
will visit her and her husband. Tell me of 
yourself.” 

“ I will finish my school course, then I 
will try to get into some business in Lebonne. 
I like the place. Yal is to enter a bank there, 
and I will either teach or enter with him.” 

“ But you had an ambition ?” queried the 
priest. 


’ Lias Visits Home Once More . 


165 


“ I liave yet— to do well anything I find to 
do,” answered ’Lias. “ But I do want to do 
something else ; I can’t talk of it yet.” 

The next summer ’Lias did not visit Maril- 
ly. He worked in a store and studied at 
night, attending chapel regularly on Sundays. 

Time passed rapidly, and one day ’Lias 
was made aware of its flight when he thought, 
“ I am twenty-one years old to day.” 

He had worked steadily during vacations, 
while Matthias had insisted on giving him a 
third of whatever was realized on the little 
farm. 

He had quite a sum to his credit in bank, 
and to-day had brought him a letter bidding 
him to be present at the reading of Squire 
Black’s will. 

’Lias knew his old friend was dead, and 
that Matthias had been appointed as guard- 
ian of Yal and Olivia. They were of age 
now, and the will was to be read. 


166 


? Lias Visits Home Once Mitre. 


Various bequests were made. Olivia was 
to be sent to New York to school. Val was 
already in business in Lebonne. His sister, 
was recommended to his care ; and finally 
’Lias heard his name mentioned. 

The squire had given him the hall and the 
valuable farm back of it. 

He could hardly realize it. 

“It’s true,” said Val smilingly. “ Olivia 
and I could not own it together very well, 
and grandfather thought you’d come back 
here some day to live, maybe represent the 
county, or be governor or something.” Val 
laughed pleasantly. 

Then there came a busy life. He was in- 
terested in a bank in Lebonne, his farm 
claimed much time, and the years passed 
like dreams. He had been interested in poli- 
tics of late, and had thought of Matthias as 
a sturdy man of the people. 

He still had a room at the priest’s house-- 


’Lias Visits Home Once More. 


167 


it seemed more home-like. ’Lias came sing- 
ing into his room one day, when Father 
Clarke called across the hall : 

“ What have you been doing to be talked 
of in the papers ?” 

’ Lias looked surprised. The priest handed 
him the daily paper. 

He saw dimly in large type the name 
“ Elias Leveve,” then a request that he 
should allow the people to place his name 
on the ticket for representative. There was 
a long list of names, and ’Lias saw that Paul 
Venty’s name was in the list, as well as 
Dupre Lavelle. 

“I must go down there,” he murmured, 
his heart warming towards all the old friends, 
and he forgave at once many a slight in the 
past— “ I must go home and shake hands 
with all of them. ’ ’ 

So he journeyed down to Millville to see 
his constituents. The news of his coming 


168 


’Lias Visits Home Once More. 


had travelled on before him, and the village 
band with a large crowd was at the station 
to meet him. 

He was cheered and cheered. He made a 
speech that no one heard, and a trim little 
woman in white swiss and a picture hat 
handed him a bouquet of roses. How home- 
like they were— all old-time garden roses ! 
He lifted his hat and looked at the giver. 

“ Why,” he stammered, “ it’s Jennie.” 

Then there was another cheer when ’Lias 
elbowed his way through the crowd to shake 
hands with Father Downs. 

“ How do you like this, ’Lias?” asked 
Marilly, as she stood in the door at home 
bidding ’Lias good-night. “ Doesn’t this 
equal your wildest dream of the future ?” 

“It’s a dream itself,” declared ’Lias. 
“Fin just an heir of dreams.” 


Printed bt Benziger Brothers. New York. 










* 


















. 









• 














. 

























































. 


















, 








































. 












' 





















































I 














































,• . 

' 






































♦- 



























, 

. 




















\ *\ 5 y. j. v - ^ i* y 1 

































4 

- 































* 
































‘ 




























. • 

























- 












































LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



□DDEDbTbS^A 




